Boxing

Eddie Hearn questions undisputed champion's pound-for-pound status

DAZN

26, Jan 25

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Eddie Hearn has called for undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya to fall down the pound-for-pound list following his recent win.

Inoue made a successful defence of his IBF, WBA, WBC and WBO belts on Friday when he knocked out Ye Joon Kim in the fourth round of their contest in Tokyo.

The Japanese star is set to fight in Las Vegas next against Alan Picasso and this opponent choice has frustrated Hearn.

Read next | How the 'Monster' Naoya Inoue can follow Tyson Fury's stateside — and beyond — worldwide blueprint to greater fanfare

The promoter has frequently claimed that the 'Monster' is afraid to face Murodjon Akhmadaliev, who is a mandatory challenger for Inoue's titles, and as a result of the recent win over Kim, Hearn has questioned whether Inoue should be highly ranked on pound-for-pound lists.

"Naoya Inoue has ducked Akhmadaliev, I mean he’s going to vacate his belt now rather than fight him, that will be three times," Hearn told Boxing Social.

"Who’s he fought this year? TJ Doheny and that geezer he boxed last night, that’s not a pound-for-pound resume, he should be dropping down the pound-for-pound list.

"No one seems to question it."

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