Advertisement
Boxing
'A valuable benchmark!' - Naoya Inoue keen to use postponements to improve
Watch Dubois vs. Parker Feb 22 live on DAZN PPV
Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue intends to use his prolonged training schedule as "a valuable benchmark" for future fights as he prepares to face Ye Joon Kim on Friday in Tokyo.
The undisputed super-bantamweight champion had been expected to face Sam Goodman, first in December and then in January, in the latest challenge to his crown.
But a cut sustained in sparring for the latter saw an initial postponement, and when it refused to fully heal, Kim was drafted in at short notice to face the unbeaten star.
Speaking ahead of the bout, set for January 24 at the Ariake Arena, Inoue admits he will hope he can work around the change in circumstances as he faces a new foe.
“After the fight was delayed by a month, adjusting to the new schedule has been mentally tough," he said on Tuesday. "Normally, I would take about five weeks to make weight.
"This time, I had about eight to ten weeks because of the postponement. It will serve as a valuable benchmark. I’m fully prepared, and I’m ready to put on the ultimate show."
Inoue penned a deal with Riyadh Season recently and could well move to fight outside of his native Japan later this year as he looks to solidify his pound-for-pound status.
A two-weight undisputed champion in the four-belt era , the star has been touted for several blockbuster bouts which could take him to the United States or Saudi Arabia.
Sign up to a DAZN subscription to watch the very best boxing
DAZN is the home of boxing, broadcasting over 150 fights a year across boxing, bare knuckle boxing, MMA and crossover boxing.
It is not just about fight night, a DAZN membership also includes access to documentaries and features, weekly boxing magazine shows, live fight watchalongs, press conferences, weight-ins, open workouts, exclusive interviews and access to training camps, and podcasts and vodcasts.
Signing up for a subscription right now, with both annual and monthly options, will get you a ringside seat to the biggest fights in 2025.
For pricing, more information and to sign up for a DAZN subscription, click here.
