JUST when Naoya Inoue was preparing to tackle Sam Goodman in a hastily rescheduled affair, a recurrence of the Aussie’s cut eye meant postponement number two and the possibility of no fight date at all.
Step forward Korea’s Ye Joon Kim, who has been drafted in as the fall guy for January 24 in Tokyo, although the confident underdog doesn’t see it that way.
Saving Inoue’s main event means much of the undercard also remains in place. Let’s see who will grace the Ariake Arena this Friday.
Jin Sasaki vs. Shoki Sakai
Closing in on a world title shot at welterweight, Sasaki has made his name as a heavy-handed destroyer. An early career defeat to Andy Hiraoka is in the past, along with Sasaki’s weight woes.
Tough Aussie Qamil Balla stood up to as much punishment as possible on the Inoue-Doheny undercard before succumbing in seven. Sakai would deny he is a tick-over job here, but 14 losses suggest otherwise.
That statistic doesn’t tell the full story, however, as he goes the distance at a solid level and has never been stopped across 15 years as a pro.
Goki Kobayashi vs. Yuni Takada
Rebuilding from a shock 2023 summer loss to Jake Amparo for the WBO Asia Pacific minimumweight title, Kobayashi managed to pick up that belt in his next outing and defends it here against Takada, a Filipino who has made Japan his home and is enjoying a seven-fight winning streak.
Toshiki Shimomachi vs. Misaki Hirano
A well-matched domestic affair sees Osaka southpaw Shimomachi tackle Fukuoka’s Hirano. Both men are 28, with one loss apiece. It should be tasty.
Tsubasa Narai vs. Kai Watanabe
Vulnerable puncher Narai will be a slight favourite to overcome Watanabe, who blasted an unbeaten foe out in round one of their scheduled 12-rounder last time. Narai has fought (but also lost) at a higher level.
