Murodjon Akhmadaliev to challenge undefeated champion Naoya Inoue in Tokyo showdown

Matchroom Boxing head Eddie Hearn confirmed the deal on Instagram, posting a photo alongside Akhmadaliev with the caption: "Done deal finally! Uzbek Power vs The Monster. Best fight in the division."

Naoya Inoue, also known as "The Monster," is set to step into the ring on the night of May 5 in Las Vegas, where he will face American boxer Ramon Cardenas. Should Inoue win, he will defend his unified titles against Akhmadaliev in September.

Akhmadaliev, the 30-year-old former world champion in the super bantamweight division, holds a professional record of 12 wins (9 by KO) and 1 loss. In December 2024, he scored an impressive third-round knockout victory over Mexico’s Ricardo Espinoza Franco. After the win, Akhmadaliev publicly called out Inoue for a fight.

Inoue, aged 32, boasts an undefeated record of 29-0 with 26 knockouts. He is currently the undisputed champion in the super bantamweight division, holding titles from the WBC, WBO, IBF, and WBA. He has also claimed world championships in four different weight classes, solidifying his place as one of boxing’s elite.