Promoter Eddie Hearn announced today that the battle between Naoya Inoue and Murodjon Akhmadaliev is scheduled in Japan on Sunday, September 14. It has been waiting for two years, and it comes a little late for many fans who have given up on it. Inoue still has to win his fight against Ramon Cardenas, but it is expected to be another easy one of the many he had.
Hearn is pleased that his fighter, former IBF and WBA 122-pound champion Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 COs) finally get a chance to fight Inoue (32) for his four titles at Super Bantamweight. Eddie insists that the struggle will take place for centuries.
The long wait and lukewarm response
The reaction to Hearn’s announcement today was not tremendous on social media. The loss of Akhmadali vs Tapales two years ago in 2023 had much of the interest that was once in this battle.
If inoue fought him in 2022 when he was still unbeaten, the fight would have been great. The Japanese star chose not to. So the struggle is not that big. Fans are now more interested in inoue moving to 126 and adopt the champions Rafael Espinoza, Angelo Leo and Nick Ball.
The avoidance strategy
Olympic bronze medalist Akhmadaliev in 2016 was under the impression that Inoue had avoided him, which could be true. Inoue has a good thing in Japan, worshiped by the country, which jointly does not care that he is fighting against less than stars.
They think he is wonderful and do not put his feet on the fire to push him to start fighting the elite competition. With the money that Naoya is fighting, like Ye Joon Kim and TJ Doheny, why would he want to take risky fights where he could lose?
This announcement could increase interest in Inoue’s fight this Sunday night against Ramon Cardenas on May 4 in Las Vegas, as there were no buzz of the US for obvious reasons. It is seen as another soft opponent for ‘The Monster’ inoue (29-0, 26 COs) to beat in a disappointing battle in America.
Finally, finally!
Uzbek power to the sample
Best struggle in the section
pic.twitter.com/orljzndufy
– Eddie Hearn (@eddiehearn) May 1, 2025
Last updated on 05/01/2025
