Yi Joon Kim took on the toughest job in world boxing in just two weeks when he agreed to fight Naoya Inoue on Friday, live. Sky Sports.
One of the best boxers in the world at any weight, “The Monster” Inoue was already the undisputed champion in two weight classes and holds the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF super bantamweight titles.
He was scheduled to face Australian boxing contender Sam Goodman who had to postpone the bout a month ago when he suffered a cut in sparring and then had to withdraw completely when the cut reopened in training.
Kim was preparing for an undercard bout at Ariake Arena on Friday and was on standby as a potential replacement. But still, getting in with Inoue is progressing beyond any level he's ever reached before.
Top Rank's Bob Arum, who represents Inoue, went so far as to compare the Japanese star's talents to Manny Pacquiao, who Arum also promoted.
“Boxers are unique. Manny Pacquiao was a great, great champion, and he was great at boxing. His career is legendary. Naoya Inoue's career is even more legendary because unlike Manny, he went through division after division without losing a fight,” Arum declared. .
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Manny Pacquiao showed off his incredible speed before an exhibition bout with Japanese MMA fighter Rukia Anbu.
“You can't really compare either of them because obviously they're both great fighters but they're also different. Manny was reckless in a lot of fights and that's why he got out of the last fight he had with (Juan).” Manuel) Marquez because he entered the attack and was not looking for a knockout blow.
“But he was a great entertainer and a crowd pleaser and was beloved not only in the Philippines but all over the United States.
“Now Inoue is a more disciplined fighter. He's healthier in the ring. He doesn't take foolish chances. Sometimes you do, but usually he doesn't take foolish chances.
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Highlights of the undisputed super bantamweight world championship bout between Naoya Inoue and TJ Doheny in September
“I think if it comes down to skill set, from a technical boxing standpoint, Inoue is superior to Manny Pacquiao. That's not to discredit Pacquiao, but that's just to say that in Inoue we have not only a fierce knockout player, but also a tough one.” very”. A well-trained, technical fighter.”
Inoue will also have to adapt to a new opponent, but warned that he feels fully prepared for the next undisputed title fight, live. Sky Sports+ From 7:30 a.m. on Friday.
“When I changed my schedule, I felt like having that much time to prepare my body was a big plus,” Inoue said.
He added, “I think it would be better to make these kind of adjustments before big matches in the future. So I think the two postponements and the one-month delay were beneficial.”
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With Naoya Inoue scheduled to fight on Sky Sports once again, check out his devastating stoppage win over Marlon Tapales in December 2023
He added of Kim: “Style-wise, I have the impression that he is a hitter.
“I just want to trust what I've learned from my 25-year boxing career and give it my all on fight day.”
Kim, who grew up in an orphanage and has a professional boxing record of 21-2-2 (13), will hope 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 it's no problem.”
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Naoya Inoue has devastating power in both hands, and once he hurts you, there's no way back!
Can Inoue be defeated?
Senior Chief Todd Duboff said Sky Sports: “We had a big surprise with Jaime Munguia. Who would have thought of that?
“I think this was a great display of surprise that he got caught. Inoue is a super talent and we will see what he does.
“I think Inoue is a very special fighter with unbelievable IQ and strength and speed in both hands. I think to get there a fighter has to be very special and maybe a little bit lucky to get something out of it and he (Inoue) has to do something careless, I think it's Really hard to beat.”
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Top boss Todd Duboff pays tribute to undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue
“When he starts going up, I think that's where potential difficulties can happen,” Dubov added. “When he starts getting to 126 pounds or even 130 pounds, they're big guys compared to where he's coming from.
“Believe it or not, I think Junto Nakatani is right and he looks great. I can see stylistically, Nakatani's size, even though he's a lightweight, you can 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 this country really supporting boxing, growing it the way it used to be. A lot of it has to do with going back to Ryota Murata when he came out of the Olympics and Inoue at that time. We're really seeing a real renaissance there.”
Watch Inoue vs Kim live on Sky Sports+ from 7.30am on Friday morning. Stream Sky Sports now – no contract, cancel anytime
