Tokyo, Japan – One of boxing’s brightest stars, Naoya Inoue, returns to the ring on January 24, where he will defend his undisputed super bantamweight crown against late replacement Ye Joon Kim at the Ariake Arena. The 12-round main event is set to showcase Inoue’s dominance at 122 pounds as the undefeated, four-weight world champion seeks his third defense of the coveted belt.
Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs), a 31-year-old Japanese sensation, is widely considered one of the pound-for-pound best boxers in the world. Known for his explosive knockout power and technical brilliance, the “Monster” has already conquered multiple weight classes, cementing his legacy in the sport. On January 24, he faces Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs) in what will be Kim’s biggest challenge to date.
Originally, Inoue was scheduled to defend his title against undefeated Australian Sam Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs). However, Goodman was forced to withdraw from the fight due to injury deep into training camp, and Kim stepped in on short notice. Although Kim, 32, enters the contest as a significant underdog, he has a solid professional record and will aim to make the most of this rare opportunity on the biggest stage of his career.
Inoue has been a dominant force in the super bantamweight division, having captured the WBA, WBC, WBO, IBF, and The Ring Magazine titles. His technical skills and knockout power make him a nightmare for any opponent, and his recent victories over top contenders have solidified his reputation as one of the most complete boxers in the sport today. With a reputation for dismantling his opponents quickly or breaking them down until the crumble, Inoue will look to make a statement against Kim and further establish his dominance.
The co-feature on the card will see rising welterweight contender Jin Sasaki (18-1-1, 17 KOs) take on veteran Shoki Sakai (29-14-3, 15 KOs) in a 12-round showdown. Sasaki, who is making waves in the division, will put his WBO Asia Pacific and Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) belts on the line in this exciting matchup. Sasaki’s power and unrelenting style have earned him a following, and a win here would solidify his position as one of Japan’s top young talents.
Additionally, the card features a lightweight showdown between two rising Japanese prospects, Tsubasa Narai (14-2, 10 KOs) and Kai Watanabe (13-1-1, 7 KOs). The 10-round bout promises to deliver fireworks, as both men look to take a step closer to contention in a competitive division.
The evening’s action will also include a clash at super bantamweight between Toshiki Shimomachi (19-1-3, 12 KOs) and Misaki Hirano (11-1, 4 KOs), as well as a 10-round minimumweight contest featuring Goki Kobayashi (7-1, 5 KOs), who will defend his WBO Asia Pacific title against Filipino-Japanese Yuni Takada (15-8-3, 6 KOs).
For fans in the United States, the Inoue vs Kim event will be available to stream live on ESPN+ at 4:15 a.m. ET / 1:15 a.m. PT on Friday, January 24, offering boxing enthusiasts an opportunity to watch the action unfold from the comfort of their homes.
As the anticipation builds for this electrifying night of boxing, Naoya Inoue’s quest for continued dominance in the super bantamweight division is set to take center stage in Tokyo. Will Kim be able to pull off an upset, or will Inoue reaffirm his status as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world? Tune in to find out.
