Naoya Inoue will face a new opponent on January 24th as Sam Goodman withdraws due to an eye injury.
Inoue and Goodman were originally scheduled to compete on December 24th, 2024. However, Australian Goodman was forced to withdraw from the fight due to a sparring injury. A cut above his eye would mean that he was not cleared to fight, despite Goodman’s wishes.
The bout for the IBF, WBC, and WBO World Super Bantamweight titles was rescheduled for a month later, however, Goodman would withdraw just two weeks out from the bout due to the same injury.
Inoue will still compete on January 24th despite the withdrawal. The ‘Monster’ aims to defend his super bantamweight world titles in his native Japan.
Naoya Inoue set to face Ye Joon Kim in Japan
Inoue will aim to defend his WBC, IBF, and WBO World Super Bantamweight titles on January 24th, facing Ye Joon Kim from South Korea.
Kim, 32, currently boasts a professional record of 21-2, including 13 wins by knockout. In his last bout, Kim would win the WBO Oriental Super Bantamweight title thanks to a fifth-round knockout.
Currently ranked 11th in the super bantamweight division by the WBO, Kim will compete for a world title for the first time when he faces Inoue.
The pair will face off in the Ariake Arena in Japan, as Inoue looks to defend his trio of belts and undefeated professional record of 28-0.
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Sam Goodman ‘devastated’ over second withdrawal versus Naoya Inoue
Forced to withdraw from his world title opportunity twice now, Goodman is “distraught”, according to Fox Sports Australia.
Speaking about his fighter, No Limit promoter Matt Rose has said that Goodman will have to undergo plastic surgery to prevent the cut from causing further problems.
“It’s just devastating”, said Rose. “After everything Sam went through the first time around, and now to have it happen again… I really don’t know what to say.”
“There aren’t any words… the amount of time everyone has put into this.”
In his last outing, Goodman defeated Thachtana Luangphon via unanimous decision decision in July of 2024, earning him his title opportunity.
Goodman’s bout with Inoue would have been his first chance at a world title. However, Goodman must now wait to add to his current 19-0 record.
It is unclear if the Japanese champion will be rescheduled to face Goodman for a third time, as Top Rank Promoter Bob Arum has big plans for Inoue in 2025 following his fight on January 24th.