Kim Ye-jun has taken on arguably the toughest assignment in world boxing on two weeks’ notice, agreeing to fight Naoya Inoue this Friday, live broadcast sky sports.

“The Monster” Inoue is one of the best boxers in the world at any weight class. In fact, he is the undisputed champion of both weight classes and holds the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF super lightweight world titles. .

His scheduled opponent was Australian boxing challenger Sam Goodman, who had to postpone the fight a month ago due to a reduction in sparring, and then had to pull out of the fight entirely when training began to be reduced again.

Kim is preparing for an undercard match at Ariake Arena on Friday and has been on standby as a possible substitute. But even so, fighting alongside Inoue was far beyond his previous level of boxing.

Top Rank representative Bob Arum even compared the Japanese superstar’s talent to Manny Pacquiao, who Arum also promotes.

“Boxers are unique. Manny Pacquiao is a very, very great champion, very good in boxing. His career is legendary. Naoya Inoue’s career is even more legendary because, unlike Manny, He’s been through level after level without losing a game,” Arum declared.

“You can’t really compare either of them because they’re obviously both great fighters, but they’re also different. Manny was reckless in a lot of his fights and that’s why he was so reckless in his last fight with Juan Knocked down. Manuel Marquez because he attacked and didn’t pay attention to the counterattack.

“But he was a great entertainer, he brought joy to his fans and he was loved not just in the Philippines but across the United States.

“Inoue is a more disciplined boxer now. He’s more right in the ring. He doesn’t take risks. Sometimes you do, but usually he doesn’t take risks.

“I think if you talk about skill, from a boxing skill standpoint, Inoue is far ahead of Manny Pacquiao. That’s not to discredit Pacquiao, but just to say, with Inoue we not only have a ferocious Knockout fighter, and a very, very well-trained technical fighter.”

Inoue will still have to adjust to a new opponent, but he warned that he feels he’s more than ready for his next undisputed title fight. Sky Sports+ From 7.30am on Friday.

“When I changed my schedule, I felt like taking so long to prepare my body was a big advantage,” Inoue said.

“I think it’s best to make adjustments like this before big games in the future. So I think two postponements and a month’s delay are helpful.”

Of King, he added: “Style-wise, my impression is that he’s a switch-hitter.

“I just want to trust what I’ve learned from my 25 years in boxing and give it my all on fight day.”

King, who grew up in an orphanage and amassed a professional boxing record of 21-2-2 (13), will look to complete a remarkable journey against Inoue.

“I’m in a good situation,” he said matter-of-factly. “I’ve been preparing for it for a month, no problem.”

Can Inoue be defeated?

Todd DuBoef, President of Top Rank sky sports: “We are very unhappy with Jaime Munguia. Who would have thought of this?

“I thought it was a surprisingly good performance to be caught. Inoue is a fantastic talent and we’ll see what he does.

“I think Inoue is a super special fighter with incredible IQ, strength and hand speed. I think to get to his level a fighter has to be really special and maybe a little bit lucky to get out of him To get something, and he (Inoue) has that I think he’s a tough guy to beat.”

Added Dubov: “When he starts moving up, I think there might be difficulties. When he starts getting to 126 or even 130 pounds, they’re going to be big guys relative to where he’s coming from.”

“Believe it or not, I think Junto Nakatani is a close second and he looks great. I can tell Nakatani’s build style-wise, even though he’s lighter, but you look at his body frame and The way he punches, it’s going to be a tough fight for Inoue.

“It’s great to see that culture and that country really supporting boxing and growing it the way it has. A lot of that goes back to Murata when he withdrew from the Olympics, and Inoue. We were there really Saw a real renaissance.”

Watch Inoue vs. Kim live on Sky Sports+ from 7.30am on Friday. Watch Sky Sports live now – no contract, cancel anytime