No. 2 pound-for-pound boxer by The Ring and undisputed super bantamweight champion of the world, Naoye Inoue of Japan, makes the third defense of his 122-pound titles when he takes on South Korean Ye Joon Kim at his beloved Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan this Friday. The undefeated Naoye Inoue was scheduled to fight Sam Goodman of Australia on Christmas Eve, but the Australian injured his eye during a sparring session. The bout was moved to January, but on 10th January, Goodman’s camp released a statement saying that the Aussie’s injury had re-occurred, prompting a late replacement with the number 11 ranked WBO, Kim. Inoue is a massive favorite for retaining his titles.
Bet on Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim with 1xBet
BOXING: Undisputed Super Bantamweight Championship
Where to Watch: ESPN+, SkySports
Venue: Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan
Date: 24.01.2025 15:00
Naoye Inoue
“The Monster” has dominated all the weight classes he has fought at, winning multiple titles and staying undefeated. The Japanese icon has 25 knockouts from 28 professional fights, with a knockout percentage of 91.30% in world title fights. In 2023, Naoye Inoue picked up the WBC and WBO super bantamweight titles from Stephen Fulton before rounding off the year by claiming undisputed status with a victory over Marlon Tapales to bag the WBA (Super), IBF, and The Ring Super bantamweight titles. Inoue thus became the first boxer in history to become undisputed at 122 in the four-belt era. The 31-year-old Japanese defended his titles twice in 2024, scoring knockouts over Luis Nery and Australia’s TJ Doheny.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 31
- Height: 5’.5”
- Reach: 67.5”
- Weight: 122 pounds (55kg)
- Record: 28-0
Hey, everyone. Just wanted to let everyone know what happened this morning. I was having my last spar before we flew out to Tokyo and, by a freak accident, just got cut, resulting in four stitches. And if I had it my way, I’d like to proceed with the fight. But taking on a guy like this, my team, ah, my team, were just saying I wouldn’t have the same team in my corner letting me go into a fight like this compromised.
Ye Joon Kim
32-year-old Ye Joon Kim is riding a two-fight win streak in this championship bout. “Troublemaker” knocked out Rakesh Lohchab to claim the vacant WBO Oriental super bantamweight title last May. Although Ye Joon Kim is not known outside Asia, the challenger has a puncher’s chance of shocking the world. The South Korean, who has 13 KOs from 21 victories, is fighting with a 50-1 chance of winning the four bantamweight titles.
Tale of the Tape
- Age: 32
- Height: 5’4”
- Reach: N/A
- Weight: 122 pounds (55kg)
- Record: 21-2-2
Sorry also to everyone in Japan who was excited about this fight. To Inoue and his team, I know they would’ve been preparing hard for this fight, and I don’t want my opportunity to go anywhere. I want to fight this guy. This has been a 14-week camp, but this has been the last 15 years of my life, everything I’ve ever done to get into this position and to take this guy on. I just want the chance to have a crack against him for all those belts.
Betting Odds
Ye Joon Kim is a 9.20 underdog on Betway, with the fight going the distance at 6.60 odds. 1xbet lists the bout being won in rounds 4-6 at 3.4 odds and Yes to the start of round 4 at 1.8 odds. Over 6.5 rounds is at 4 odds on Bet365, which has under 2.5 at 2.50. Read more here.
Bet on Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim with 1xBet

