Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs), the undisputed super bantamweight champion, delivered a fourth-round knockout against late replacement Ye Joon Kim at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. The fight, streamed live on ESPN+, showcased Inoue’s elite precision and power. Kim stepped in with just ten days’ notice after Sam Goodman withdrew due to a sparring injury.
After a measured first round, Inoue turned up the pressure, targeting Kim’s body in the third. He finished the fight in the fourth with a crushing right hand. “My new opponent accepted the bout on 10 days’ notice. I feel a lot of love from everyone, and I appreciate it,” Inoue said. “Overall, I think it was a good fight. I didn’t have enough time to study my opponent, so I adapted as I went.”
Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum praised the performance, stating, “Another great showing by our champion here. Japan has gifted Shohei Ohtani to Los Angeles, and now the great Inoue will headline in Las Vegas this spring.”
Jin Sasaki Wins Co-Feature Bout
Sasaki Extends Unbeaten Streak
Jin Sasaki (19-1-1, 17 KOs) successfully defended his WBO Asia Pacific and OPBF welterweight titles in a hard-fought 12-round unanimous decision against Shoki Sakai (29-15-3, 15 KOs). Judges scored the bout 118-110, 117-111, and 116-112.
“I’m happy to defend my titles and continue my winning streak,” Sasaki said. “Sakai is a tough fighter, but my preparation and discipline made the difference.”
Event Details
- Date: January 24, 2025
- Venue: Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan
- Broadcast: ESPN+
Replay Available on ESPN+
While I think Inoue did well, we must not ignore that this fight lacked true competition. Kim was thrown in without enough prep time and it skews the results of the fight, making it less meaningful overall.
I dont get why people are all hyped up about Inoue. He just fought a guy who was not ready. If you ask me, he should of had a real challenge instead of a late replacement. Its just not fair.