IBF, WBC and WBO super bantamweight champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue will defend against replacement opponent Kim Ye-jun (21-2-2, 13 KOs) on January 24 at Koto Ariake Arena in place of injured mandatory Sa Jim Goodman. Library in Tokyo, Japan.

On January 24, Inoue’s management found the 32-year-old Korean player Kim Ye-jun and asked him to replace Naoya to defend his three gold belts in 13 days. Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) withdrew from his fight with Inoue due to another eye injury. Inoue is expected to be rescheduled against Goodman later in 2025.

Rocky’s story?

One question fans have is how, besides having never heard of Kim Jong Un before, is he allowed to compete at super bantamweight when he is not ranked in the top 15 by any of the four sanctioning bodies? for Inoue’s three world titles. Beyond that, Yoon Kim is as good a choice as Naoya’s original choice of unpopular Sam Goodman.

Inoue’s team made a “Rocky” – Genre selection, choose an unranked fighter that few have heard of and thrust him into the spotlight to challenge for three world titles. It would be easier to swallow if this was a non-world title fight without Inoue’s belt at stake. “Monster” Inoue team selected ham and eggs as his replacement. That’s great for Kim and Naoya, but terrible for the fans.

Having a non-contender fight for three world titles is offensive and completely unfair to the fans and the top 15 contenders who have been waiting to challenge the Japanese star for a world title.

Boxing fans were unimpressed with Inoue’s defense against Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs), viewing it as a typical mismatch for the Japanese star. Australian Goodman is a skilled fighter who, without strength, would have been food for Naoya.

However, Goodman looks like a real talent compared to replacement opponent Ye Joon Kim, who lost an eight-round majority decision to journeyman Sam Dee two years ago on April 15, 2023. Zell (15-10, 4 KOS0).

yese Joon Kim’s last six opponents:

Rakesh Lochchabu
John Bashan
Sam Dietzel
Ruben Montoya Ramirez
Kosaka Ryo
Anocha Ponco

The record of these fighters is simply abysmal, filled with the losses of humble fighters. Then again, how on earth was Inoue Naoya allowed to fight Kim Ye-joon instead of being a credible contender?