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 yr when most individuals are filled with pleasure and cheer and should not all that inquisitive about tuning in to observe some X-rated violence, Inoue will look to get rid of one more good, succesful fighter. And the festive holidays may be placed on the again burner for a couple of 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 displaying up for. Inoue, who will cap off his first three-fight yr since 2017 with the protection in opposition to Goodman, 19-0(8), can be trying to rating one more chilling KO, his third of 2024. Inoue is, we hope, creeping up on a large battle with fellow Japanese star Junto Nakatani. This sheer modern-day traditional is within the making and being checked out for the second half of subsequent yr.
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 might battle. However can anybody on this aspect of the featherweight division (and even up there, Inoue might nicely reign supreme) beat Inoue? 26-year-old Goodman has that quietly assured demeanor about him, and who is aware of, perhaps he and his group can devise a recreation plan that serves to present Inoue some issues.
That stated, it’s powerful to image something aside 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 12 months award for 2024, nicely, we’ll have to attend and see. For certain, 31-year-old Inoue has had a fairly good yr up to now.