A Big Fight is Approaching for Naoya Inoue
Back in the ring, Naoya Inoue is preparing for a confirmed match against Australia’s Sam Goodman, scheduled to take place on Christmas night in Japan. In an interview with reporter Dan Rafael, Top Rank head Bob Arum emphasized that a major fight is being planned for Inoue in April in Las Vegas. This was mentioned by Bob following Inoue’s victory over TJ Doheny in early September.
The revelation of this “big fight” has sparked speculation among fans due to a lack of prominent names in this weight class. Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez has a fight scheduled for November, but to face Inoue, he would need to move up in weight, something he has done in the past. Additionally, this Texas fighter is managed by a rival promoter.
Japanese contender Junto Nakatani has emerged as a serious threat, but attracting American audience interest for this fight appears challenging. Since Floyd Mayweather slyly mentioned Gervonta Davis as a potential opponent for Inoue, the connection between these two has often come up whenever a fight date draws near, regardless of the feasibility of such a matchup.
Challenges and Opportunities for Murodjon Akhmadaliev
As the fight between Inoue and Goodman approaches, one person who won’t be celebrating this match—or any subsequent fights—is Murodjon Akhmadaliev. As the WBA mandatory challenger, Akhmadaliev is patiently awaiting his opportunity, but that patience is wearing thin. He is eager for a chance to showcase his skills and prove himself in significant bouts.
In this context, Bob Arum has also had a busy week discussing his lack of involvement in Jared Anderson’s defeat to Martin Bakole, while simultaneously providing updates on Teofimo Lopez’s situation. This indicates that, despite the many happenings in the boxing world, attention remains focused on Naoya Inoue and his upcoming fights.
