In a captivating clash of super bantamweight supremacy, undisputed champion Naoya “Monster” Inoue puts his IBF, WBC, WBO and WBA belts on the line against South Korean challenger Ye Joon Kim on Friday at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. This marks the third defense of Inoue’s unified 122-pound throne since capturing all four major titles.
Inoue’s Dominance Continues
Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) has established himself as one of the most feared fighters in the lower weight classes. The 31-year-old Japanese superstar claimed undisputed status at super bantamweight in spectacular fashion:
- May 2024: Inoue knocked out Luis Nery in front of over 50,000 fans at a sold-out Tokyo Dome to unify all four major titles
- September 2024: “The Monster” retained his belts with a 7th round TKO of TJ Doheny in his first undisputed defense
Now, Inoue looks to further solidify his dominance at 122 pounds against the unheralded Kim. Despite his challenger’s lack of name recognition, the champion refuses to overlook any opponent.
“I prepare for every fight with the same focus and determination, regardless of who is across the ring,” Inoue said. “I respect all my challengers and train diligently to be at my absolute best. Kim has earned this opportunity and I will not underestimate him.”
– Naoya Inoue
Kim’s Unexpected Chance
Ye Joon Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs) stepped in on short notice to replace Inoue’s original opponent Sam Goodman. The 26-year-old Australian contender was forced to withdraw for the second time in a month due to a recurring eye injury that will now require surgery.
For the 32-year-old Kim, this marks his first world title opportunity. While he may be a sizable underdog, the South Korean slugger is brimming with confidence.
“I’ve dreamed of fighting for a world title and now I have the chance to win four belts at once against one of the best fighters in the world,” Kim said. “I know I’m the heavy underdog but that fuels my motivation. I’m going to shock the boxing world and bring those titles back to South Korea.”
– Ye Joon Kim
Compelling Undercard Action
The Inoue-Kim card features an action-packed undercard showcasing some of Japan’s most exciting young talent:
- Jin Sasaki vs Shoki Sakai: Unbeaten welterweight prospect Sasaki (18-1-1, 17 KOs) battles rugged veteran Sakai (29-14-3, 15 KOs) in a 12-round bout
- Goki Kobayashi vs Yuni Takada: Kobayashi (8-1-0, 5 KOs) and Takada (15-8-3, 6 KOs) collide in an evenly-matched 105-pound contest
- Tsubasa Narai vs Kai Watanabe: Super prospects Narai (14-2-0, 10 KOs) and Watanabe (13-1-1, 7 KOs) risk their records in a 10-round lightweight confrontation
How To Watch
The Inoue vs Kim super bantamweight title fight will be broadcast live from Tokyo on Friday, January 21 starting at 4:15 a.m. ET, exclusively on ESPN+.
Boxing fans can catch all the action on the ESPN+ streaming hub for the event. The ESPN platform is your one-stop destination for full fight replays, highlights, behind-the-scenes content and expert analysis from the ESPN boxing team.
Will Naoya Inoue continue his reign of terror at 122 pounds or can Ye Joon Kim pull off a monumental upset on enemy soil? Tune in to Inoue vs Kim to find out who emerges victorious in this super bantamweight title tussle.
