Ye Joon Kim took on arguably the hardest assignment in world boxing at just two weeks’ notice when he agreed to fight Naoya Inoue this Friday, live on Sky Sports.
‘The Monster’ Inoue is one of the best boxers in the world at any weight, indeed he has been the undisputed champion in two weight classes and holds the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF super-bantamweight world titles.
He was due to box Australian challenger Sam Goodman who had to postpone the bout a month ago when he sustained a cut in sparring and then had to withdraw altogether when the cut reopened in training.
Kim was preparing for a bout on the undercard at the Ariake Arena on Friday and had been on stand by as a possible substitute. But still – going in with Inoue is stepping up way beyond any level he has boxed at before.
Top Rank’s Bob Arum, who represents Inoue, went as far as comparing the Japanese superstar’s talents with Manny Pacquiao, whom Arum also promoted.
“Boxers are unique. Manny Pacquiao was a great, great champion, was great for boxing. His career is legendary. Naoya Inoue’s career is even more legendary because unlike Manny he has gone through one division after another without losing a fight,” Arum declared.
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Manny Pacquiao showed off his incredible speed ahead of an exhibition bout with Japanese MMA fighter Rukiya Anpo
“You really can’t compare either of them because they’re both obviously great fighters but they’re also different. Manny was reckless in a lot of fights and that’s why he got knocked out in the last fight that he had with [Juan Manuel] Marquez. Because he went in on the attack and didn’t look out for an answering punch.
“But he was a great entertainer and he entertained the fans and he was beloved not only in the Philippines but all over the United States.
“Now Inoue is a much more disciplined fighter. He is much more correct in the ring. He doesn’t take foolish chances. Sometimes you do but usually he does not take foolish chances.
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Highlights of the undisputed super-bantamweight world championship fight between Naoya Inoue and TJ Doheny in September
“I think that if it comes to the skillset, from a technical boxing standpoint, Inoue has it way over Manny Pacquiao. That’s not to denigrate Pacquiao but it’s just to say that in Inoue we have not only a ferocious knockout puncher but a very, very well trained technical fighter.”
Inoue also has to adjust to a new opponent, but warned that he feels perfectly prepared for this next undisputed title fight, live on Sky Sports+ from 7.30am on Friday morning.
“As I changed my schedule, I felt that taking this long to prepare my body was a big plus,” Inoue said.
“I think it will be best to make these kinds of adjustments before big matches in the future. So I think the two postponements and the one-month delay were helpful.”
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With Naoya Inoue scheduled to fight on Sky Sports once again, check out his destructive stoppage win over Marlon Tapales in December 2023
Of Kim he added: “In terms of style, I get the impression that he is a switch hitter.
“I just want to trust in what I’ve learned from my 25-year boxing career and give it my all on the day of the match.”
Kim, who grew up in an orphanage and has amassed a 21-2-2 (13) professional boxing record, is hoping to complete an extraordinary journey against Inoue.
“I’m in a good position,” he said matter-of-factly. “I’ve been preparing for a month now, so there’s no problem.”
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Naoya Inoue has devastating power in both hands and once he gets you hurt there is no way back!
Can Inoue be defeated?
Top Rank president Todd DuBoef told Sky Sports: “We had a big upset with Jaime Munguia. Who would have thought on that one?
“I think that was a wonderful display of surprise, getting caught. Inoue is a superior talent and we’ll see what he does.
“I think Inoue is a super special fighter with outrageously incredible IQ and power and speed in both hands. I think to get to him a fighter has to be very special and probably a bit lucky to get something by him and he [Inoue] has to do something careless. I think he’s a really tough one to try to beat.”
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Top Rank President Todd DuBoef heaps praise on undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue
DuBoef added: “As he starts to move up that’s where I think possible difficulties could happen. When he starts going to 126lbs or even 130, they’re big guys relative to where he came from.
“Believe it or not, I think Junto Nakatani is right on his heels and he’s looking terrific. I can see stylistically, the size of Nakatani, even though he’s at a lighter weight, you look at his physical frame and the way he punches, it’s a tough fight for Inoue.
“It’s great to see that culture and that country really supporting boxing, and growing it the way it’s been. A lot of it has to do going back to Ryota Murata when he came out of the Olympics and Inoue in that time. We’re really seeing a real renaissance over there.”
Watch Inoue vs Kim live on Sky Sports+ from 7.30am on Friday morning. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
