As followers might have learn by now, it’s official: “Monster” Naoya Inoue will defend his armful of 122-pound world titles in opposition to one other unbeaten necessary challenger in his subsequent battle, with Aussie warrior Sam Goodman getting his flip in opposition to the pound-for-pound star. The battle will happen on December twenty fourth, and it has a cool tagline – “The Nightmare on Christmas Eve.”
At a time of the 12 months when most individuals are stuffed with pleasure and cheer and should not all that excited by tuning in to observe some X-rated violence, Inoue will look to put off one more good, succesful fighter. And the festive holidays will be placed on the again burner for just a few hours. Additionally on the cardboard that can happen contained in the Ariake Enviornment in Tokyo, Japan, WBO bantamweight champ Yoshiki Takei, 10-0(8), will defend his strap in opposition to TBA. Additionally, top-ranked welterweight contender Jin Sasaki, 18-1-1(17), will face Shoki Sakai, who’s 29-14-3(15).
It’s, although, the “Monster” present that followers can be exhibiting up for. Inoue, who will cap off his first three-fight 12 months since 2017 with the protection in opposition to Goodman, 19-0(8), can be seeking to rating one more chilling KO, his third of 2024. Inoue is, we hope, creeping up on an enormous battle with fellow Japanese star Junto Nakatani. This sheer modern-day basic is within the making and being checked out for the second half of subsequent 12 months.
Earlier than that, Bob Arum says Inoue will battle in Las Vegas round April, probably on a doubleheader with Nakatani to see motion. However earlier than this, Goodman will get his shot. And although Goodman will enter the ring as a substantial underdog, he has good credentials and may battle. However can anybody on this aspect of the featherweight division (and even up there, Inoue might properly reign supreme) beat Inoue? 26-year-old Goodman has that quietly assured demeanor about him, and who is aware of, possibly he and his group can devise a sport plan that serves to present Inoue some issues.
That mentioned, it’s powerful to image something apart from Inoue’s twenty ninth profession win right here. The ultimate KO we see in 2024 may show to be a memorably chilling one. , the type Inoue has delivered with fearsome regularity since turning skilled.
As as to whether or not Inoue picks up The Fighter of The Yr award for 2024, properly, we’ll have to attend and see. For certain, 31-year-old Inoue has had a reasonably good 12 months thus far.
