Undisputed tremendous bantamweight champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue’s struggle in opposition to Sam Goodman on December twenty fourth will should be postponed because of the Aussie struggling a minimize over his left eye throughout his last sparring session. The 2 had been imagined to be assembly on the Ariake Enviornment, Koto-Ku, in Tokyo, Japan.
No Substitute?
There’s no phrase but whether or not Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) will discover a substitute opponent to save lots of the date and card. It’s not like there was a whole lot of curiosity from non-Australian followers to see Inoue defend in opposition to Goodman, 26, because the struggle was seen as a mismatch.
Followers wouldn’t complain if Inoue by no means rescheduled the Goodman struggle as a result of this isn’t one of many names on the want record of individuals for the Japanese fighter to face.
They need Inoue to begin combating in 50-50 fights, not 90-10. That’s why Naoya isn’t well-liked outdoors of his native Japan. He by no means places himself ready the place he might lose by combating guys who’ve an opportunity of beating him. He’s not a risk-taker.
Goodman had by no means overwhelmed any notable opponents to amass his #1 rating with the IBF and WBO. Boxing followers wished to see Inoue take a gifted contender for a change, particularly Murodjon Akhmadaliev or John Riel Casimero. Goodman was simply one other one within the lengthy line of disappointing opponents Inoue confronted throughout his 12-year professional profession.
Inoue has been taking his candy time transferring as much as 126 to face the damaging skills in that division, and a few imagine he’s acquired stage fright, figuring out that he can be anticipated to struggle these harmful apex predators:
Rafael Espinoza
Bruce Carrington
Rey Vargas
Stephen Fulton
Angelo Leo
Brandon Figueroa
Sulaimaan Segawa
Is it asking an excessive amount of for Inoue to struggle one in all these killers? Many of those guys can be an absolute nightmare for Inoue, 31, which can be why he’s hesitating to maneuver as much as featherweight.
Goodman’s Harm
Catastrophe. Sam Goodman has been minimize over the attention in his last spar earlier than the undisputed struggle with Naoya Inoue. Goodman camp now pushing for a delay to scheduled Christmas Eve struggle in Tokyo. Goodman was set to fly out tomorrow #InoueGoodman pic.twitter.com/cdq6UpIMI8
— Ben Damon (@ben_damon) December 14, 2024
