Ye Joon Kim took on arguably the toughest project in world boxing at simply two weeks’ discover when he agreed to combat Naoya Inoue this Friday, stay on Sky Sports activities.
‘The Monster’ Inoue is likely one of the greatest boxers on the planet at any weight, certainly he has been the undisputed champion in two weight courses and holds the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF super-bantamweight world titles.
He was on account of field Australian challenger Sam Goodman who needed to postpone the bout a month in the past when he sustained a reduce in sparring after which needed to withdraw altogether when the reduce reopened in coaching.
Kim was getting ready for a bout on the undercard on the Ariake Area on Friday and had been on stand by as a attainable substitute. However nonetheless – getting in with Inoue is stepping up means past any stage he has boxed at earlier than.
High Rank’s Bob Arum, who represents Inoue, went so far as evaluating the Japanese celebrity’s skills with Manny Pacquiao, whom Arum additionally 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.
“You actually cannot evaluate both of them as a result of they’re each clearly nice fighters however they’re additionally totally different. Manny was reckless in lots of fights and that is why he acquired knocked out within the final combat that he had with [Juan Manuel] Marquez. As a result of he went in on the assault and did not 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 way more disciplined fighter. He’s rather more appropriate within the ring. He would not take silly possibilities. Typically you do however often he doesn’t take silly possibilities.
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Highlights of the undisputed super-bantamweight world championship combat 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 additionally has to regulate to a brand new opponent, however warned that he feels completely ready for this subsequent undisputed title combat, stay on Sky Sports activities+ 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 stated.
“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 combat on Sky Sports activities as soon as once more, try his damaging 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 simply wish to belief in what I’ve realized from my 25-year boxing profession and provides 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 am in a superb place,” he said matter-of-factly. “I have been getting ready for a month now, so there is not any downside.”
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Naoya Inoue has devastating energy in each fingers and as soon as he will get you damage there isn’t a means again!
Can Inoue be defeated?
High Rank president Todd DuBoef informed Sky Sports activities: “We had a big upset with Jaime Munguia. Who would have thought on that one?
“I believe that was an exquisite show of shock, getting caught. Inoue is a superior expertise 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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High Rank President Todd DuBoef heaps reward on undisputed tremendous 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.
“Consider it or not, I believe Junto Nakatani is true on his heels and he is trying terrific. I can see stylistically, the scale of Nakatani, although he is at a lighter weight, you take a look at his bodily body and the best way he punches, it is a powerful combat 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 stay on Sky Sports activities+ from 7.30am on Friday morning. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
