Naoya Inoue understands the prerogatives of a champion. Faced with the demands of promoter Eddie Hearn, the undisputed bantamweight champion has decided to fulfill the Matchroom Boxing head honcho’s wish, but on his terms.
Inoue, nicknamed the “Monster,” recently successfully defended his collection of 122-pound belts by beating Korean Ye Joon Kim by knockout in the fourth round. The victory extended the Japanese fighter’s perfect streak to 29 bouts, leaving him in a privileged position to choose his opponents.
Despite this, Hearn has not stopped raising his voice, demanding that Inoue face one of the best fighters in his stable, the Uzbek Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev. Hearn has not taken his finger off the line for several months, going so far as to say that Inoue would vacate one of his belts before facing his fighter.
Hearn provoking the Monster
In a chat with Boxing Social, Hearn recalled that the WBA has already ordered Inoue twice to face Akhmadaliev, but the champion has chosen other challengers. Therefore, the organization is about to give him an ultimatum.
“On Monday, the WBA will write to Naoya Inoue and they will say ‘Enough is enough. You have to fight Akhmadaliev or you will be stripped of your WBA title, and you will no longer be undisputed,'” said Hearn. However, the promoter assured the Japanese fighter would ignore the WBA mandate.
According to Hearn, “Inoue will vacate his WBA title. No way, no way [will he fight Akhmadaliev]. He will give up his right as undisputed champion rather than make a mandatory defense.” However, the rumors point to exactly the opposite.
The Monster seeks victims
The X (formerly Twitter) insider known only as “B” assured in the past days that Inoue is preparing for a big year in his professional career. “Plans are underway for a major event in Las Vegas around April, followed by a fight in Saudi Arabia in September,” said B.
Furthermore, the insider revealed that the “Monster” set his sights on Alan Picasso for his fight in Las Vegas and would leave MJ for the card in Saudi Arabia. The news will make Hearn happy but will force him to eat his words.