Inoue settles for replacement fighter as Goodman withdraws again
Naoya Inoue settles for an unranked replacement fighter as Sam Goodman over the weekend withdrew again on their upcoming title fight.
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INOUE SETTLES FOR UNRANKED SOUTH KOREAN FIGHTER AS GOODMAN’S REPLACEMENT
Inoue settles for an unranked South Korean fighter as Goodman’s replacement for his January 24 title defense of his undisputed super bantamweight titles.
Furthermore, the 31-year-old Japanese superstar’s management ws determined to push through with the title fight.
Moreover, Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) now faces South Korean Kim Ye-joon for his first fight of 2025.
The “Monster” had a successful campaign last year after stopping Luis Nery at the Tokyo Dome in May.
He would later post a TKO victory over TJ Doheny in September.
Boxing promoter Hideyuki Ohashi’s management group was the one who found Kim (21-2-2, 13KOs).
‘SUPRISED’ ‘MONSTER’ CONFIDENT HE CAN ‘SWITCH GEARS’ IN TIME AGAIST KIM
A “surprised” Inoue remains confident he and his team can “switch gears” in time.
Moreover, the “Monster” vowed not to change his training pace despite not facing Australian Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) anymore.
Furthermore, Inoue paid his gratitude to Ohashi for bringing in Kim despite the late notice.
“To be honest, I was surprised, but I am grateful to Chairman Ohasji for providing me with an opponent even in this situation,” Inoue said in Japanese.
“With less than two weeks until the match, we’ve managed to switch gears,” he added.
EYE INJURY REOCCURRENCE FORCED GOODMAN TO POSTPONE TITLE FIGHT INDEFINITELY
A recurrence of an eye injury forcefd Goodman and his team to postpone the title fight indefinitely.
Furthermore, a cut in Goodman’s eye reopened while sparring on Saturday.
Moreover, the Australian’s initial injury last month needed four stitches to close.
This was a reason their original December 24 fight Inoue was moved to January 24.
Multiple sources was quoted as saying that the latest injury may force Goodman to undergo plastic surgery that will sideline him for approximately six months.
The development ruisned Top Rank promoter Bob Arum’s plans for Inoue in 2025.
Inoue was supposed to face Goodman to first before taking on Mexican Alan Davis Picasso in return bout in the US in April.
Arum is lining him up for a mouth-watering showdown against compatriot and IBF bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani in late 2025 or early 2026.
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