Naoya Inoue threatened with ‘legal action’
The super-bantamweight division continues to heat up as Naoya Inoue, one of boxing's brightest stars, is on the brink of announcing his next opponent. However, a looming legal battle may overshadow the excitement. Inoue, who has rapidly transitioned from bantamweight to become a two-division undisputed champion, appears set to face Australia's undefeated Sam Goodman (19-0) on Christmas Eve in Tokyo.
Goodman has earned his place as the WBO and IBF mandatory challenger, and his clash with "The Monster" has been in the works for weeks. But WBA mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev and his team have thrown a wrench into those plans, threatening legal action if Inoue bypasses him once again. Akhmadaliev, who had stepped aside for Inoue's previous bout against TJ Doheny, is now demanding his turn at the titles.
His attorney, Patrick English, sent a formal objection to the IBF, stating Akhmadaliev’s right to be the next in line as the long-overdue WBA mandatory challenger. The ultimatum is clear: either Inoue faces Akhmadaliev, or the WBA title may be vacated, which would see Akhmadaliev automatically elevated to champion status.
Inoue’s team, led by promoter Bob Arum, had originally intended for a busy schedule with the potential U.S. return for Inoue in 2024. However, Akhmadaliev’s interference might force the Japanese star to choose between maintaining his undisputed status or fighting the undefeated Goodman as planned. Either way, boxing fans are eager to see how this situation unfolds, as both Akhmadaliev and Goodman pose serious threats to Inoue’s dominant reign.
With the legal battle brewing, one thing is for certain: Naoya Inoue’s next step will have far-reaching consequences for the super-bantamweight division and his legacy as a multi-division undisputed champion.
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