Naoya Inoue faces a new opponent in Ye Joon Kim on January 24 but believes the outcome will remain the same. The fight for Inoue's status as the undisputed super bantamweight champion emanates from Japan and airs on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Inoue (28-0) is a four-division champion and is undisputed in two weight classes. "The Monster" is considered one of the best active fighters today and looks to compete multiple times in 2025.
He was supposed to fight Sam Goodman before the latter backed out twice due to injury.
Kim (21-2-2) is 7-0 against fighters from Japan and on a two-fight win streak. The South Korean understands his opponent's status in the sport but believes he has what it takes to take the mighty Inoue down.
WATCH: Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim on ESPN+
"Yes, I think he is the best boxer in the world," Kim told Boxing Scene. "He has very, very good timing and speed. He has all the skills of a complete professional boxer… He is human, he can be beaten. He will make mistakes, but you cannot go in the ring and fight him to survive.
"You need to take calculated risks and fight to win. I know that surely people will see I fight to win, and I will do my best to use my strength and skills to meet him in exchanges and land my power punches."
Local fighters look to impress on the Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim undercard.
Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Inoue vs. Kim card.
Jin Sasaki vs. Shoki Sakai
- Division/Weight: Welterweight
- Sasaki record: 18-1-1
- Sakai record: 29-14-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-main event will be Jin Sasaki vs. Shoki Sakai.
A top prospect at welterweight, Sasaki (18-1-1) is on an eight-fight unbeaten streak where he is 7-0-1, with all seven wins via knockout. The 23-year-old has won local gold and looks to continue progressing in the ring.
Sakai (29-14-3) started his pro career in Mexico. He has won local Japanese gold at welterweight and has 15 wins via knockout. "EL PV" is 3-1-1 in his last five fights.
Goki Kobayashi vs. Yuni Takada
- Division/Weight: Minimumweight
- Kobayashi record: 8-1
- Takada record: 15-8-3
- Belts at stake: N/A
Goki Kobayashi faces Yuni Takada.
Kobayashi (8-1) is on a two-fight win streak. The 26-year-old has five wins via knockout.
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Takada (15-8-3) is on a seven-fight win streak and is 7-0-1 in eight fights. The 26-year-old has six wins via knockout and has run through the minimumweight division in his path to fight for gold.
Tsubasa Narai vs. Kai Watanabe
- Division/Weight: Lightweight
- Narai record: 14-2
- Watanabe record: 13-1-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Further down the card is Tsubasa Narai vs. Kai Watanabe.
Narai (14-2) is on a six-fight win streak, holding and defending local gold in Japan. The 25-year-old, born in Osaka, has ten wins via knockout.
Watanabe (13-1-1) has built his way up the ladder since competing at featherweight and super featherweight. He is on a four-fight win streak with seven wins via knockout.
Toshiki Shimomachi vs. Misaki Hirano
- Division/Weight: Super Bantamweight
- Shimomachi record: 19-1-3
- Hirano record: 11-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Toshiki Shimomachi faces Misaki Hirano.
Shimomachi (19-1-3) is on a 20-fight unbeaten streak. The 28-year-old has 12 wins via knockout and is working his way to becoming a top contender at super bantamweight.
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Hirano (11-1) is on a ten-fight win streak and has four wins via knockout.
Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim tune-in info
- Date: Friday, January 24
- Location: Ariake Arena — Tokyo, Japan
- Time: 4:15 a.m. ET | 1:15 a.m. PT | 9:15 a.m. GMT | 8:15 p.m. AEDT
- Main event start time (approx.): 7:30 a.m. ET | 4:30 a.m. PT | 2:30 p.m. GMT | 11:30 p.m. AEDT
- How to watch:
Fight fans in the U.S. can watch Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $11.99 on a monthly subscription and $119.99 on an annual subscription.
Fight fans can watch Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim on Sky Sports in the U.K.
In Australia, the Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim fight is available via pay-per-view on Foxtel's Main Event, which also requires a subscription. Alternatively, the event can be purchased through the streaming platform Kayo, with no subscription needed. The PPV price for Inoue vs. Kim is $49.95.
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