Inoue Vs. Joon Kim: How Does The Fight Go?

January 23, 2025
4 weeks
Inoue Vs. Joon Kim: How Does The Fight Go?

Naoya Inoue will face off against Ye Joon Kim in a defense of his Super Bantamweight Title on January 24, as we look at how the fight could play out. 

The undefeated Inoue is expected to blow Joon Kim away. The two-weight undisputed champion has 25 knockouts on his 28-0 record. He has stopped the last nine opponents, including TJ Doheny, in his last fight. He was meant to face Sam Goodman on December 24 last year. But Goodman pulled out twice after suffering a cut which never healed.  

Joon Kim now gets his chance. He is 21-2-2, which includes 13 stoppage wins. The boxer is on a two-fight win streak. He stopped Rakesh Lohchab in his last bout to set up the Inoue clash. He is a massive underdog who has the story to go with it. Joon Kim grew up as an orphan, and he hopes a win will boost boxing in South Korea. Here is how both men could approach the fight. 

Inoue Vs. Kim

Inoue likes to fight on the front foot to pressure his opponents. He will look to jump on Joon Kim, who was a late replacement. There is every chance that he is overwhelmed by the occasion. Inoue will look to land combinations early to break down his man. He has the speed and timing to get in and out of range. With nine knockouts in a row, Joon Kim will have to be wary. 

Joon Kim will have to meet Inoue and apply enough pressure to keep the Japanese at bay. His jab could be key to that if he manages to add some venom behind it. He could also look to tie up Inoue when he lands to prevent the Japanese from countering. A key part of this will involve using his physicality on The Monster. There may also be an opening upstairs when Inoue goes to the body. He could lure the Japanese to throw the body shot and then counter quickly before spinning out of harm’s way.

Fight Talk

Luis Nery tried this. He had some success. Inoue went to the body as Nery replied with a left hook over the top. Inoue went to the canvas but managed to get up quickly. While Nery was stopped, it may have given Kim some encouragement. But he must keep his emotions in check. It will be a heavy Inoue crowd. While the arena is usually quiet for Inoue’s fights, it will take something special to get a decision in Japan. 

“After the fight was delayed by a month, adjusting to the new schedule has been mentally tough. Normally, I would take about five weeks to make weight. This time, I had about eight to ten weeks because of the postponement. It will serve as a valuable benchmark for future big matches. I’m fully prepared, and I’m ready to put on the ultimate show,” Inoue said

“I’ve studied Inoue as a potential opponent ever since he moved up to super bantamweight. I have a 7-0 record against Japanese fighters and want to make this my eighth and biggest win,” Joon Kim stated

Full Card

Naoya Inoue vs. Sam Goodman, 12 rounds, for Inoue’s WBC/WBO/IBF/WBA super bantamweight titles

Jin Sasaki vs. Shoki Sakai, 12 rounds, welterweights

Kai Watanabe vs. Tsubasa Narai, 10 rounds, super featherweights

Toshiki Shimomachi vs. Misaki Hirano, 10 rounds, super bantamweights

Goki Kobayashi vs. Yuni Takada, 12 rounds, minimumweights

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