EDDIE Hearn insists that an announcement on Naoya Inoue’s much talked about clash with Murodjon Akhmadaliev happens to be just around the corner.
‘The Monster’ is gearing up to defend his undisputed super-bantamweight crown against American contender Ramon Cardenas, headlining a Top Rank show at the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas.
Their bout, taking place on May 4, will follow Inoue’s four-round demolition job against short-notice, and vastly overmatched, challenger Ye Joon Kim back in January.
WBA interim champion Akhmadaliev, 13-1 (10 KOs), meanwhile, has been forced to wait in the wings for his opportunity to take on the formidable puncher.
Since losing his unified crown at 122lbs via a split decision defeat to Marlon Tapales in 2023, the Uzbek has bounced back with two victories inside the distance against somewhat limited opposition.
Inoue, 29-0 (26 KOs), on the other hand, dethroned Tapales with a tenth-round stoppage victory in 2023 before climbing off the canvas to halt Luis Nery last year.
But still, Matchroom Boxing promoter Hearn has long banged the drum for Akhmedaliev who, as the WBA mandatory challenger, was ordered to face the 32-year-old last June.
Following a series of exemptions, though, Inoue has largely kept the 30-year-old in the dark, with Hearn often accusing the two-division undisputed champion of ‘ducking’ his rival.
And yet, should the Japanese star take care of business against Cardenas next month, it is highly likely that Akhmedaliev will finally be presented with his golden opportunity.
In fact, according to Hearn, both parties are seemingly just a few dotted i’s and crossed t’s away from finalising a deal.
“You will hear about it this week,” the Matchroom boss told Boxing News’ Andi Purewal. “Terms have been agreed from us on [the Inoue fight].
“Akhmadaliev will have a run out shortly. And then, get ready for him to beat ‘The Monster’ in September.”
