Naoya Inoue Set for Late Replacement Showdown Against Ye Joon Kim
The undisputed super bantamweight king Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) returns to defend his crown against Korean challenger Ye Joon Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs) on Friday, January 24, 2025, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo. The bout will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+, with coverage beginning at 4:15 a.m. ET/1:15 a.m. PT.
Main Event: Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim
Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs)
Known as “The Monster,” Inoue is a pound-for-pound phenom who has dominated multiple weight classes. Inoue’s historic run includes undisputed championships in bantamweight and super bantamweight, with signature wins over Paul Butler, Stephen Fulton, and Marlon Tapales. His most recent triumph came last September, a seventh-round TKO of TJ Doheny.
Inoue: “I’m ready for the challenge Kim brings. The Monster Show continues, and I promise to deliver a performance Tokyo will never forget.”
Ye Joon Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs)
The former IBF Asia super bantamweight champion steps in as a late replacement following Sam Goodman’s withdrawal. Kim has proven himself on Japanese soil, going 2-0 in the country, and is coming off a fifth-round knockout victory over Rakesh Lohchab in Thailand.
Kim: “I respect Naoya Inoue, but I’ve come to Tokyo to shock the world. I’m prepared to give everything to take this opportunity.”
Co-Main Event: Jin Sasaki vs. Shoki Sakai
The welterweight co-feature pits Tokyo’s rising star Jin Sasaki (17-1, 15 KOs) against battle-tested veteran Shoki Sakai (26-13-2, 14 KOs). Sasaki, known for his devastating power, looks to make a statement in front of his hometown fans, while Sakai brings his experience and durability to the ring.
Sasaki: “This is my chance to prove I’m ready for the next level.”
Event Details
Date: Friday, January 24, 2025
Time: Coverage starts at 4:15 a.m. ET/1:15 a.m. PT
Venue: Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan
Broadcast: Live on ESPN+
Key Points
- Main Event: Naoya Inoue defends his undisputed super bantamweight crown against Ye Joon Kim.
- Co-Main Event: Jin Sasaki faces Shoki Sakai in a welterweight clash.
- Broadcast: Exclusive live coverage on ESPN+.
Breakdown
- Event: Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim
- Location: Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan
- Date/Time: January 24, 2025 | 4:15 a.m. ET/1:15 a.m. PT
- Main Fights:
- Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim (Undisputed Super Bantamweight Title)
- Jin Sasaki vs. Shoki Sakai (Welterweight)
- Stream: Live on ESPN+
Dismissing Ye Joon Kim as merely a late replacement undermines his determination and experience. Every fighter deserves respect in the ring, and Kim’s success in Japan proves he can surprise even the best fighters like Inoue.
While Inoue’s skills are undeniable, we must question whether fighting a late replacement like Kim is truly a worthy challenge. Kim’s record may be impressive, but he lacks the caliber of opponents Inoue typically faces.
While Inoue is undeniably a phenomenal fighter, facing a late replacement like Kim raises questions about the integrity of the match. Can we truly consider this a fair title defense when the challenger has had so little preparation time?
I don’t understand why Inoue is fighting Kim. Kim is just a late replacement and doesn’t have a strong record. This should be an easy win for Inoue, and it feels unfair to fans who want to see a real challenge for the champion.
It’s interesting to see Kim stepping in last minute, but let’s not kid ourselves into thinking he stands a chance against Inoue. His previous record and experience in Japan mean little compared to The Monster’s proven dominance in the ring.