Naoya Inoue is building the “biggest fight in Japanese history” in 2025.
Inoue is one of the most impressive stars of world boxing. He has already become the undisputed champion of the world in two weight categories.
Combining all four major world titles in the bantamweight division, he collected all the belts in the super heavyweight division between 2023 and 2024.
He defeated both Luis Neri and TJ Doheny last year, stopping both men and continuing a knockout streak that extended after he first defeated Nonito Donner in 2019.
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Highlights of Inoue vs TJ Doheny Undisputed World Heavyweight Championship Fight
His next defence, against Australia’s Sam Goodman, was delayed when his opponent, also undefeated, got an eye drop during sparring.
Inoue will now fight Goodman live at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on January 24. Sky Sports.
If Inoue wins, US promoters Top Rank are looking to bring him back to America to fight another undefeated fighter, Alan David Picasso, possibly in April.
“The Dec. 24 (fight against Goodman) is now Jan. 24, so it’s done, it’s written in stone,” Top Rank boss Bob Arum said. Sky Sports.
“And then after that fight we expect to bring Inoue to the States to fight a Mexican fighter named Picasso. He’s a good fighter, Picasso.”
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Junto Nakatani landed two massive left hands to retain his WBC bantamweight title and set up a potential clash with pound-for-pound king Inoue.
WBC flyweight champion Junto Nakatani is emerging as a threat to Inoue, who will next defend his title against Mexico’s David Cuellar on February 24.
Arum wants to bring Nakatani to America to box on the same card as Inoue, with the goal of pitting them against each other later in the year.
“Then we’ll also have heavyweight champion Nakatani on that card. A great fighter, and if Inoue and Nakatani win their fights, which will likely take place in April, they will be fighting each other for the 122-pound title. Japan at the Tokyo Dome, which will be the biggest fight in Japanese history.”
Watch Naoya Inoue’s undisputed world heavyweight title defense against Sam Goodman live on January 24th. Sky Sports
