Japanese fighter Naoya Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) is considered by many to be the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world and on Friday, January 24, he will headline the first major card of 2025, when he takes on South Korean Ye Joon Kim (21-2-2, 13 KOs) in a bout in which he will put his four super bantamweight belts on the line at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
The fight was scheduled to face Sam Goodman, but had to be canceled twice due to injuries to the Australian, and Ye Joon Kim stepped in and in a rival who has the quality to resist the Japanese champion.
Inoue is a heavy favorite according to the bookmakers, with odds of 50 to one. In his last fight, the ‘Japanese Monster’ accounted for TJ Doheny, while Kim has won his last two fights by stoppage, since his loss to Rob Diezel
A Kim victory would be a monumental surprise of gigantic proportions for him. With all his brilliant skills, experience and phenomenal punching power, Inoue will do everything in his power to ensure that this does not happen.
What is the estimated purse for the fight between Naoya Inoue vs Ye Joon Kim?
Although the official purses for boxing matches are not revealed until after the event, according to Total Sportal, Naoya Inoue‘s guaranteed purse will be $1.5 million, plus 70% of the pay-per-view, which could amount to $7 million, based on 750,000 PPV sales.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s Ye Joon Kim is aiming for a base $500,000, plus $1.2 million for 30% of the PPV, which promoter Top Rank has with the official rights and in the United States the event will be broadcast by ESPN
What time is the Naoya Inoue vs Ye Joon Kim fight?
In the US, the event will start at 04:00 ET/01:15 PT, with the preliminary fights, while the main fight is scheduled around 06:00 ET/03:00 PT
Where to watch Naoya Inoue vs Ye Joon Kim: TV channel and live stream
You can follow the event through ESPN+