Naoya Inoue, known as the “Monster,” is set to fight for his third Super Bantamweight Championship on September 14, 2025. This bout comes a day after Canelo Alvarez is scheduled to defend his super middleweight title against Terrence Crawford in Las Vegas. The announcement was made at a press conference in Japan hosted by Ohashi Promotion.
Inoue, ranked as ESPN’s second pound-for-pound fighter with a record of 30-0 and 27 knockouts, recently won an exciting 8-round match in May and knocked out Kim Ye Jun in January. His opponent, former unified super bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev, holds a 14-1 record with 11 knockouts. Akhmadaliev has been on a knockout streak with three wins since his May victory over Luis Castillo, including a split decision win over Marlon Tapales in 2023.
Inoue is expected to fight for the fourth time this year, with a potential unification bout against David Baez predicted for December 27 in Saudi Arabia, assuming both fighters win their upcoming matches. Additionally, in the co-main event, Yoshiki Takei (11-0, 9 KOs) will defend the WBO 118-pound title against challenger Christian Medina (25-4, 18 KOs).
Fan Take: This matchup is highly significant for fight fans as it pits two of the best in the super bantamweight division against each other, promising high-level action and potential legacy-defining moments. It also highlights the growing global appeal of boxing, with major fights scheduled across different continents, elevating the sport’s international profile.
