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Unified tremendous bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue’s title protection in opposition to his substitute opponent Ye Joon Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs) is 2 days away, and there may be surprisingly zero buzz about this combat on Friday, January twenty fourth.
(Credit score: Naoki Fakuda)
No Buzz
It’s a sign that the Japanese star, ‘Monster’ Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs), must problem himself by shifting as much as featherweight so he can begin going through opposition that the remainder of the world outdoors of his house nation of Japan cares about.
Inoue is sort of rich, combating whomever he desires, and it’s doable that he doesn’t care to take dangers at this level in his profession. He’s had it straightforward, successful world titles in 4 divisions and never going through anybody dangerous aside from 36-year-old Nonito Donaire. Inoue suffered a fractured proper orbital bone and a damaged nostril of their first combat on November 7, 2019. You’ll be able to solely think about what a youthful Donaire would have achieved to Inoue.
The occasion will probably be streamed stay on ESPN+ this Friday at 4:15 a.m. ET/1:15 a.m. PT from Ariake Area, Koto-Ku, in Tokyo, Japan. Few U.S. boxing followers will see this combat as a result of they received’t wish to stand up early on Friday to look at what figures to be one other mismatch for Inoue. It’s important to surprise what High Rank thinks about this combat.
Inoue, 31, had been scheduled to defend in opposition to his necessary Sam Goodman, however he pulled out with a watch harm. That was simply as lackluster of a combat because the Kim one, and followers had no curiosity.
The Straightforward Highway
It’s unclear why Naoya stubbornly chooses to remain at 122 to combat the obscure opposition quite than transfer as much as 126 to face these killers:
– Rafael Espinoza– Rey Vargas– Bruce Carrington– Angelo Leo– Nick Ball– Brandon Figueroa– Sulaiman Segawa– Otabek Kholmatov
The reply is fairly apparent as to why Inoue chooses to not transfer as much as featherweight. It’s too laborious. You’ll be able to argue that Naoya doesn’t wish to lose, clearly, and see the underside drop out of his profession. I can’t blame him due to the simple cash coming in with out Inoue taking any dangers. I’d most likely do the identical factor. It beats working for a dwelling.
Take no dangers, get the simple money, and feast off the fillet mignon mushy opposition for the following ten years earlier than retiring. It’s weak, clearly, however it’s higher than getting knocked out at featherweight in opposition to one of many killers.
