Unbeaten Japanese Naoya Inoue, at the age of 31, will face Britain’s Sam Goodman on January 24 at the Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku, in Tokyo, Japan. In a fight that seems like a formality for Inoue, and he should easily win. Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is not a threat to the Monster, and we think this should be his last fight at Super Bantamweight.
If Inoue decides to move up to featherweight, we have several fighters who are ready to welcome him in this weight class in a title fight. However, his team’s plans could lead to a preparatory fight before facing one of the current featherweight champions.
Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza and Angelo Leo are logical candidates. Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton fought in February, and the winner could slip his name on the list. If Naoya wants to fight for a title right away. Fulton was knocked out by Inoue in 2023 in 8 rounds at super-bantamweight.
Another man in this weight category who could emerge is Robeisy Ramirez. The Cuban lost to Espinoza in a controversial fight, and little is known about his medical situation after his defeat against El Divino. However, his status in this weight category opens up a margin for measuring Inoue if he has already recovered his health.
Nick Ball will face TJ Doheny on March 15, which closes the possibility of the two against Naoya soon. Rey Vargas hasn’t won since 2022, and O’Shaquie Foster hasn’t beaten Robinson Conceicao yet; most likely, they will have a third fight after their victories via split decision in both fights.
Although Naoya’s appearance at featherweight is not bright, boxing fans remain interested in seeing him against the top at 126 lb. Continue to 122 waste time and money for the Japanese Monster. His superiority against the super bantamweight is wide, and we don’t see anyone able to stop him or give him a hard fight.
We believe that in 2025, Naoya should take a step forward and reach featherweight. Most fans want to measure their ability against the 126-pounders. If his team in Japan decides to let him grow in weight, the name of the opponent should be important.
Naoya Inoue’s position on the LxL lists means that his featherweight rival should be a real contender. Due to their physical advantages in height and reach, Rey Vargas and Rafael Espinoza appear to be very strong rivals. We don’t know if the Mexicans will be able to continue at featherweight for a long time; it is possible that both should go to super feathers, which opens a more even compass for Inoue at this weight.
After considering all the possibilities, among the best contenders in the featherweight division, although it seems unlikely, we are inclined to believe that the Cuban Robeisy Ramirez could be the chosen one. The reason is that the Cuban still maintains his name at the top of this weight, and the physical disadvantages of Inoue would not be so overwhelming.
Regardless of who Naoya Inoue and his team choose to make the jump to 126 pounds, it’s a fact that fans want to see him face the best in that weight class. Naoya, for some, seems invincible not only at 126 lbs, but also sees him in the future, closing his career and dominating in super featherweight, which seems unlikely.
For now, we’ll be set to see him gain weight and measure up against the best featherweight available during 2025. There are names that can surprise Inoue at this weight, and we’re eager to see if he can maintain his power and dominance at this weight.
