Undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue vs. Sam Goodman is scheduled for December 24th in Tokyo, Japan. Promoter Bob Arum says Japanese superstar Inoue’s title defense against #1 IBF and WBO Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) will come on Christmas Eve.
Arum said Dan Rafael on X that Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs) has a “Major fight” in the United States in April 2025 in Las Vegas. Top Rank promoter Arum isn’t giving any indication of who Inoue will fight, but fans are hoping he moves up to 126 to face one of the champions.
There isn’t much fan interest outside of Australia in a fight between Inoue, 31, and Sam Goodman because this bout is seen as another mismatch for the Japanese star. Goodman, 25, has very little punching power and was given his #1 ranking by wins over these three:
– Chainoi Worawut
– Miguel Flores
– Raeese Aleem
– TJ Doheny
Inoue vs. Goodman will draw a lot of interest from fans in Japan and Australia, but not elsewhere. The Australian Goodman is a fighter similar to Paul Butler and will be running against Inoue. Fans believe that Inoue is simply milking his undisputed super bantamweight crown against weak opposition in the talent-barren 122-pound division.
I think Inoue knows he’s got himself a good thing in this dead division, so he’s milking him for all he’s worth. If Inoue moves up to the featherweight class, which is loaded with talent, things will be very different for him. Inoue would lose repeatedly, and his star would quickly fade, even in his native Japan.
As such, Inoue remains rooted to the spot at the weak 122lb division, taking easy fights against lesser fighters like Goodman, 37-year-old TJ Doheny, Luis Nery, Marlon Tapales and Stephen Fulton.
At 122 years old, Inoue was angled for a fight against his compatriot Junto Nakatani, who holds the WBC bantamweight belt and has scored several knockouts. Nakatani is expected to stay at 118-lb to try to capture one or more belts before moving up to super bantamweight to challenge Inoue for his undisputed crown. This fight will do a great number in Japan and could interest many fans in the US, as long as it is not shown early in the morning.
