Naoya Inoue Will Defend Titles In opposition to Murodjon Akhmadaliev Following Eddie Hearn’s Dodging Claims

Naoya “The Monster” Inoue can have his fifth title protection of his undisputed super-bantamweight belts towards all-time nice Murodjon Akhmadaliev on Sept. 14 in an enormous bout on the IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan. It is Inoue’s fifth title protection and is a part of his and his crew’s drive for full dominance within the division.

The 17,000-seat IG Arena will host considered one of 2025’s most sensational boxing battles. With his untarnished file, the 32-year-old boxer seeks to show additional why he is the most effective pound-for-pound kings of the game.

This shall be a stern check for Inoue, recognized for his devastating knockouts. A grasp of surgical precision and unforgiving offense, the Japanese icon squares off towards a fighter who’s simply as hungry and possesses a knockout punch.

Eddie Hearn Says Inoue is Avoiding Akhmadaliev

Before the bout was finalized, Inoue was publicly slammed by Eddie Hearn, who accused him of ducking Akhmadaliev regardless that the Uzbek warrior earned a mandate by means of the WBA rankings, in response to Sports Illustrated, earlier this 12 months.

Hearn went so far as saying Inoue ought to be stripped of his titles and demoted from the pound-for-pound listing for supposedly avoiding the upcoming combat.

Nonetheless, Inoue has quashed these assertions by duly signing and agreeing to the combat.

Upcoming Big Fights For Inoue

If Inoue succeeds in his subsequent outing, nonetheless, there are already talks of a doable combat towards rising Mexican sensation Alan Picasso later this 12 months. There’s additionally a mirrored image a couple of doable transfer to the featherweight division, the place a conflict with British world champion Nick Ball might high the invoice in 2026.

But first, any future aspirations have to attend till Inoue passes considered one of his most difficult exams so far. Akhmadaliev is a potent mixture of aggression, accuracy, and toughness, having established himself as one of many division’s most feared opponents.

50/50 War within the Making

According to TalkSport, Hearn has described the combat as a “true 50/50 fight,” recognizing each boxers as the most effective two of their division.

“Inoue against MJ is one of the best fights in boxing. I have to respect Inoue for taking it. The two best fighters in the division, the best fight in the division.”