Naoya Inoue Defends Title Against Ye Joon Kim in Tokyo Showdown

TOKYO, Japan – Naoya Inoue, ESPN‘s No. 3 pound-for-pound boxer, will defend his undisputed 122-pound championship against South Korea‘s Ye Joon Kim early Friday in Tokyo (ESPN+, 4:15 a.m. ET). The fight marks Inoue’s third title defense and comes after his original opponent, Sam Goodman, withdrew due to injury.

Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs), a late replacement, steps into the ring on two weeks’ notice. Despite his underdog status, Kim aims to challenge Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs), who is a staggering -5000 favorite, according to ESPN BET. Known as “The Monster,” Inoue has built a reputation for delivering knockout victories, making him a must-watch for boxing fans worldwide.

Inoue, 31, has not fought in the United States since 2021 but plans to return in 2025, potentially at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. “I think I would like to fight at the MGM,” Inoue said via an interpreter. One possible opponent for his U.S. return is Alan Picasso Romero, a rising star from Mexico City.

Inoue’s dominance spans four weight classes, and he remains one of boxing’s busiest champions. His last nontitle fight was in 2013, and he has consistently delivered action-packed performances. In 2023, Inoue made a statement in his first fight at 122 pounds, defeating Stephen Fulton in a one-sided bout.

While Inoue’s immediate focus is on Kim, speculation continues about potential future matchups, including a possible clash with Gervonta “Tank” Davis or countryman Junto Nakatani. Nakatani, ESPN’s No. 10 pound-for-pound boxer, is seen as a formidable challenger who could test Inoue’s legacy.

Friday’s fight is expected to draw millions of viewers in Japan, where Inoue is a national hero. His ability to pack venues like the Tokyo Dome, which hosted over 50,000 fans for his knockout of Luis Nery last year, underscores his star power.

In the co-feature, welterweights Jin Sasaki and Shoki Sakai will face off in a 12-round bout. The event promises to deliver high-stakes action, with Inoue once again at the center of the boxing world’s attention.