Overview

• Naoya Inoue, the undefeated Japanese boxer with a 28-0 record, will defend his IBF, WBC, WBO, and WBA super bantamweight titles against South Korea's Ye Joon Kim on January 24 at Tokyo's Ariake Arena.
• Kim, a last-minute replacement ranked 11th by the WBO, was brought in after Sam Goodman withdrew due to a recurring eye injury requiring plastic surgery.
• Inoue, widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world, is heavily favored in the match, with betting odds strongly against Kim.
• This fight marks Inoue's third defense of his undisputed 122-pound championship and could set the stage for his planned return to the U.S. and a potential bout in Saudi Arabia later this year.
• Kim, with a 21-2-2 record, is making his first world title challenge and has expressed confidence despite the significant challenge of facing Inoue.