NAOYA Inoue is not the type of fighter to overlook an opponent. Champions of that pedigree get to where they are for a reason. Each assignment is prepared for with due diligence, and opponents are dealt with sufficiently.
Should Inoue get rid of Ramon Cardenas, as expected, on May 4 as part of the Cinco de Mayo weekend, he has another challenge waiting in the wings. A challenge that some see as his most dangerous of all the contenders. That isn’t conjecture, because according to the manager of Murodjon Akhmadaliev, a September deal is all but delivered.
“Yeah, we have a deal pretty much done. We’re finalising it on paper with Top Rank and the Japanese side, [the] Japanese promotion,” Vadim Kornilov exclusively revealed to Boxing News.
“He’ll [Akhmadaliev] fight in May on Matchroom on one of Eddie’s shows in the US, just as an in-between fight, just to stay busy. That’s the agreement we have and that’s the deal we made. And then September 14th, he’s supposed to fight Inoue in Japan and in a new arena that they’re opening up. I’m very confident. I believe that Murodjon will do well.”
Even though Kornilov has full confidence in his fighter’s abilities, if the first Beterbiev-Bivol fight has taught him anything, it’s never to relax on the judges’ scorecard. Expecting what he describes as a crazy night, Kornilov admits he will be worrying about the totals, with his man being on away turf.
“I believe that’s going to be a very, very good fight, another competitive fight. Obviously, since it’s in Japan, everything’s going to be on Inoue’s side and it’s part of the business. But we’re going to do everything we can to win that fight, as always.”
Even though he will be in Saudi alongside Dmitry Bivol on a potential future cruiserweight scouting mission to watch Badou Jack, there are currently no plans to observe Inoue from ringside. The television at home will suffice.
“We know what to expect from him [Inoue]. Murodjon is not like the other guys he’s fought recently. It’ll be a real fight.”
Between the two best names of the 122-pound division in Inoue and Akhmadeliev?
“Yeah, that’s what I think,” echoed Kornilov to BN before confirming that the deal is done and waiting to be inked.
“We’re dealing with Top Rank. We’re partners. Once we have a deal, we have a deal. I don’t see any issues unless somebody doesn’t, you know…I mean, to me, it’s a deal,” he added.
