Naoya Inoue’s next fight is a pressing topic of conversation already, with names such as Junto Nakatani and Murodjon Akhmadaliev all being throw about as potential opponents for Inoue next. That is after his next fight on January 24th against Ye Joon Kim in Tokyo.
Naoya Inoue Next Fight: ‘Monster’ Could Fight Nakatani or Akhmadaliev In 2025
Although his last fight was in January 2025, boxing fans are already talking about Naoya Inoue‘s next fight and who they want to see the ‘Monster’ in the ring with next.
The Japanese boxing superstar is the undisputed world super-bantamweight champion, as well as being a four-weight world champion and pound-for-pound superstar too. Naoya Inoue’s record is now an impressive 29-0, including winning 26 of these fights via knockout.
There is even more talk and conversation about Inoue’s next fight, which will likely take place in the early summer. For the first time in his career, it has been rumoured that Inoue’s next fight will be out of Japan and could even land in America, or perhaps even Saudi Arabia.
Inoue has beaten all comers at 122-pounds now, with boxing fans calling for the 31-year-old to move up another weight class to featherweight in an attempt to become a five-division world champion. That could be on the cards for Inoue, but not for his next fight.
Instead, the more likely option for Naoya Inoue next could be an all-Japanese clash with world bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani. Nakatani would need to move up from 118-pounds, but this fight is a real possibility for the early summer.
If the Inoue vs Nakatani fight were to happen, the best boxing betting sites in the UK would have it close. However, given his emphatic resumé and greater experience, ‘Monster’ would be the slight favourite for that bout.
Many fans have also discussed the possibility of the Murodjon Akhmadaliev fight at super-bantamweight too. Whether or not this fight happens next remains to be seen, but it is another tricky one for Inoue, as is the Nakatani clash.
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Could Inoue’s Next Fight See A Move Up To Featherweight In An Attempt At Becoming A Five-Weight World Champion?
Although the Junto Nakatani and Murodjon Akhmadaliev bouts seem the most likely for Naoya Inoue’s next fight, there is a possibility that boxing fans could see ‘Monster’ chase greatness with a move up to featherweight.
Time will tell whether this happens or not, but it is certainly an option for the 31-year-old as he seeks new challenges. A move up to 126-pounds could be a stretch for Inoue, given the sheer size disadvantage he’d have to overcome.
WBA World Featherweight Champion Nick Ball is one of the smallest champions at 126-pounds. In fact, Inoue is actually taller than Ball, which is why a fight between the pair could make sense if Inoue was to move up to featherweight next year.
Other than Ball and potentially IBF champion Angelo Leo, the other two kings at featherweight are just so much bigger than Inoue. Rafael Espinoza, the WBO 126-pound king, is 6″1 and probably walks about at around 150-pounds outside of camp.
That seems too much of a weight disparity for Inoue, who perhaps only walks around at a maximum of nine stone outside of training camp. It would be a similar story against the WBC World Featherweight Title holder Brandon Figueroa. The American would dwarf Inoue in the ring completely.
Saudi Arabia boxing chief, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh, has also spoken of his desire to stage events with Naoya Inoue. That could be a link up fans can expect to see in the future, with Inoue perhaps headlining a Riyadh Season card in 2025.
Time will tell what happens next with Naoya Inoue. Whether that be a move up to featherweight or continuing to fight at super-bantamweight.
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