Naoya Inoue, widely regarded as the pound-for-pound best boxer in the world, is set to defend his unified junior featherweight titles against South Korea’s Ye Joon Kim on January 24, 2025, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan. The fight, airing live on ESPN+ at 2:00 AM ET, presents a significant challenge for American fans due to the time difference. Inoue will put his IBF, WBC, WBO, and The Ring titles on the line against Kim, a considerable underdog. The matchup materialized after Inoue’s original opponent, Australia’s undefeated Sam Goodman, withdrew twice due to recurring sparring injuries. Kim, stepping in as a late replacement, faces a monumental task against the formidable “Monster” Inoue.
The odds heavily favor Inoue, with betting lines placing him as a -5000 favorite, while Kim sits at +1400. This disparity reflects the perceived difference in skill and power between the two fighters. While Kim’s highlight reels showcase a fighter with a more measured approach, Inoue is known for his explosive power, blistering hand speed, and devastating finishing ability. The matchup presents a classic David versus Goliath narrative, albeit with the expectation of a dominant Inoue victory. Although upsets happen in boxing, as evidenced by Bruno Surace’s recent victory over Jaime Munguia, a Kim win would be considered a seismic event in the sport.
The Inoue-Kim fight serves as a prelude to a busy boxing schedule in the early months of 2025, featuring numerous title fights and high-profile matchups. Following the January 24th clash, the boxing calendar is packed with compelling events across various weight classes and locations. From European title bouts in Nottingham to world championship contests in Las Vegas, Riyadh, and Tokyo, boxing fans will be treated to a feast of action throughout January, February, and March.
The subsequent weekend, January 25th, features a split-venue lineup with Dalton Smith facing Walid Ouizza for a European title in Nottingham, while Las Vegas hosts a tripleheader featuring Diego Pacheco vs. Steven Nelson, Ernesto Mercado vs. Jose Pedraza, and Andy Cruz vs. Omar Salcido Gamez. February kicks off with Adam Azim taking on Sergey Lipinets in London and a stacked card at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, headlined by David Benavidez vs. David Morrell, alongside Brandon Figueroa vs. Stephen Fulton, Alejandro Ramos Jr. vs. Jeison Rosario, and Isaac Cruz vs. Angel Fierro.
February continues with a women’s heavyweight championship bout between Claressa Shields and Danielle Perkins in Flint, Michigan, followed by Dereck Chisora vs. Otto Wallin in Manchester. Mid-February sees a flurry of action, with a lightweight title defense by Denys Berinchyk against Keyshawn Davis at Madison Square Garden, alongside several other notable bouts. Concurrently, Jack Catterall clashes with Arnold Barboza in Manchester, while Oscar Duarte and Regis Prograis face off in Anaheim.
A blockbuster event is slated for February 22nd in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, featuring a highly anticipated light heavyweight unification showdown between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol. The card is further bolstered by a heavyweight title fight between Daniel Dubois and Joseph Parker, Shakur Stevenson vs. Floyd Schofield for the WBC lightweight title, Carlos Adames vs. Hamzah Sheeraz for the WBC middleweight crown, and exciting matchups like Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Israil Madrimov, Joshua Buatsi vs. Callum Smith, and Zhilei Zhang vs. Agit Kabayel.
The end of February brings a bantamweight title fight in Tokyo between Junto Nakatani and David Cuellar Contreras. March opens with Gervonta Davis defending his WBA lightweight title against Lamont Roach Jr. in Brooklyn. The first weekend of March also features a women’s welterweight championship clash between Natasha Jonas and Lauren Price in London. Mid-March sees Nick Ball defend his WBA featherweight title against TJ Doheny in Liverpool, and Callum Walsh squares off against Dean Sutherland at Madison Square Garden, rounding out a packed schedule of high-stakes boxing action. This period promises a thrilling showcase of boxing talent across various weight divisions and global locations, offering a captivating experience for boxing enthusiasts worldwide.
