WBC Special Preview: Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim

WBC STATISTICS

WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship

January 24, 2025 / Tokyo, Japan / Ariake Arena

OHASHI PROMOTION, TEIKEN PROMOTIONS and TOP RANK PRESENT:

NAOYA “Monster” INOUE (Japan)

WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion, 4th defense

IBF, WBA, and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion

Former WBC Bantamweight World Champion, 1 Title Defense

Former Super Flyweight Champion

Former WBC Light Flyweight World Champion, 1 Title Defense

Age: 31 / Date of birth: April 10, 1993

Residence, birthplace: Zama, Kanagawa, Japan

Record: 28-0, 25 KOs / Total rounds: 169 / World championship fights: 23-0, 21 KOs

Height: 5’5” – 165cm / Reach: 67.5” – 171cm / Stance: Right-handed

Manager: Sayuri Ohashi / Trainer: Shingo Inoue

YE JOON “Troublemaker” KIM (South Korea)

Age: 32 / Date of birth: October 11, 1992

Residence, birthplace: Seoul, South Korea

Record: 21-2-2, 13 KOs / Total rounds: 150

Height: 5’5” – 165cm / Stance: Right-handed

Manager: Mike Altamura / Trainer: John Bastable

WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS

1. Rigoberto Riasco (Pan)             1976
2. Royal Kobayashi (Jap)              1976
3. Dong-Kyun Yum (Kor)               1976 – 1977
4. Wilfredo Gomez (P. Rico)          1977 – 1982
5. Jaime Garza (US)                     1983 – 1984
6. Juan Meza (US)                        1984 – 1985
7. Lupe Pintor (Mex)                     1985 – 1986
8. Samart Payakaroon (Thai)        1986 – 1987
9. Jeff Fenech (Aust)                     1987 – 1988
10. Daniel Zaragoza (Mex)              1988 – 1990
11. Paul Banke (US)                        1990
12. Pedro Decima (Arg)                   1990 – 1991
13. Kiyoshi Hatanaka (Jap)             1991
14. Daniel Zaragoza (Mex) *            1991 – 1992
15. Thierry Jacob (Fra)                    1992
16. Tracy Patterson (US)                 1992 – 1994
17. Hector Acero-Sanchez (D.R.)    1994 – 1995
18. Daniel Zaragoza (Mex) *            1995 – 1997
19. Erik Morales (Mex)                    1997 – 2000
20. Willie Jorrin (US)                       2000 – 2002
21.       Oscar Larios (Mex)                   2002 – 2005
22. Israel Vazquez (Mex)                 2005 – 2007
23. Rafael Marquez (Mexico)           2007
24. Israel Vazquez (Mexico) *          2007 – 2008
25. Toshiaki Nishioka (Japan)          2008 – 2012
26. Abner Mares (Mexico)                2012 – 2013
27. Victor Terrazas (Mexico)            2013
28. Leo Santa Cruz (Mexico)           2013 – 2015
29. Julio Ceja (Mexico)                    2015 – 2016
30.       Hugo Ruiz (Mexico)                  2016
31. Hozumi Hasegawa                    2016
32. Rey Vargas (Mexico)                 2017 – 2020
33. Tomoki Kameda (Japan) Interim2018
34. Luis Nery (Mexico)                     2020 – 2021
35. Brandon Figueroa (US)              2021
36. Stephen Fulton Jr. (US)              2021 – 2023
37. Naoya Iinoue (Japan)                 2023 –

* Regained title

WBC TOP 10 SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONS

1. Wilfredo Gomez (Puerto Rico)

2. Erik Morales (Mexico)

3. Jeff Fenech (Australia)

4. Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico)

5. Israel Vazquez (Mexico)

6. Abner Mares (Mexico)

7. Leo Santa Cruz (Mexico)

8. Tracy Patterson (US)

9. Oscar Larios (Mexico)

10. Royal Kobayashi (Japan)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY:

34 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only two have regained the title: Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) two times, Israel Vazquez (Mexico).

120 WBC super bantamweight world title bouts have been held in WBC history.

Wilfredo Gomez (Puerto Rico) holds the record for super bantamweight world title defenses with 17.

Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) made 14 title defenses in three periods as champion.

Oscar Larios (Mexico) made 10 title defenses.

MEMORABLE WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS

Sept. 3, 2024    Naoya Inoue TKO7 T.J. Doheny – Tokyo, Japan

May 6, 2024     Naoya Inoue TKO6 Luis Nery – Tokyo, Japan

Dec. 26, 2023   Naoya Inoue KO10 Marlon Tapales – Tokyo, Japan

July 25, 2023    Naoya Inoue TKO8 Stephen Fulton – Tokyo, Japan

June 4, 2022    Stephen Fulton Jr. W12 Danny Roman – Minneapolis, Minnesota

Nov. 27, 2021   Stephen Fulton Jr. W12 Brandon Figueroa – Las Vegas, Nevada

May 15, 2021   Brandon Figueroa KO7 Luis Nery – Carson, California

Sep. 26, 2020   Luis Nery W12 Aaron Alameda – Uncasville, Connecticut

Feb. 25, 2017   Rey Vargas W12 Gavin McDonnell – Hull, England

Sep. 16, 2016   Hozumi Hasegawa TKO9 Hugo Ruiz – Osaka, Japan

Feb. 27, 2016   Hugo Ruiz TKO1 Julio Ceja – Anaheim, California

Aug. 29, 2015   Julio Ceja TKO5 Hugo Ruiz – Los Angeles, California

Aug. 24, 2013   Leo Santa Cruz KO3 Victor Terrazas – Carson, California

Nov. 10, 2012   Abner Mares W12 Anselmo Moreno – Los Angeles, California

May 23, 2009   Toshiaki Nishioka TKO3 Jhonny Gonzalez – Monterrey, Mexico

Mar. 1, 2008     Israel Vazquez W12 Rafael Marquez – Carson, California

Aug. 4, 2007    Israel Vazquez TKO6 Rafael Marquez – Hidalgo, Texas

Mar. 3, 2007     Rafael Marquez TKO7 Israel Vazquez – Carson, California

Dec. 3, 2005    Israel Vazquez TKO3 Oscar Larios – Las Vegas, Nevada

May 17, 2002   Oscar Larios TKO12 Israel Vazquez – Sacramento, California

Feb. 19, 2000   Erik Morales W12 Marco Antonio Barrera – Las Vegas, Nevada

Sep. 6, 1996    Erik Morales KO11 Daniel Zaragoza – El Paso, Texas

Nov. 6, 1995    Daniel Zaragoza W12 Hector Acero-Sanchez – Inglewood, California

Aug. 26, 1994   Hector Acero-Sanchez W12 Tracy Harris Patterson – Atlantic City

June 23, 1992  Tracy Harris Patterson TKO2 Thierry Jacob – Albany, New York

Mar. 20, 1992   Thierry Jacob W12 Daniel Zaragoza – Calais, France

Feb. 29, 1988   Daniel Zaragoza TKO10 Carlos Zarate – Inglewood, California

May 8, 1987     Jeff Fenech KO4 Samart Payakaroon – Sydney, Australia

Jan. 18, 1986   Samart Payakaroon KO5 Lupe Pintor – Bangkok, Thailand

Aug. 18, 1985   Lupe Pintor W12 Juan Meza – Mexico City, Mexico

Nov. 3, 1984    Juan Meza KO1 Jaime Garza – Kingston, New York

June 15, 1983  Jaime Garza TKO2 Bobby Berna – Los Angeles, California

Dec. 3, 1982    Wilfredo Gomez TKO14 Lupe Pintor – New Orleans, Louisiana

Oct. 28, 1978   Wilfredo Gomez TKO5 Carlos Zarate – San Juan, Puerto Rico

Jan. 19, 1978   Wilfredo Gomez KO3 Royal Kobayashi – Kitakyushu, Japan

Oct. 9, 1976     Royal Kobayashi KO8 Rigoberto Riasco – Tokyo, Japan

Apr. 3, 1976     Rigoberto Riasco TKO9 Waruinge Nakayama – Panama City, Panama

‘’Troublemaker’’ Meets ‘’Monster’’

By James Blears

Ye Joon Kim has stepped into the breach, at two weeks of notice, to fight the mighty-formidable World Boxing Council + undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue on Friday January 24^th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

In Boxing, the best laid plans can come unstuck and go awry. And when they so go amiss, a miss is as good as mile. Naoya was supposed to be fighting Australian Sam Goodman on Christmas Eve. But unfortunately, Sam suffered a cut over his left eye in a final sparring session and the fight was put back one month. Then…lightning while ‘’Fighting’’ struck twice. That cut, which had been neatly sealed by four stitches, opened up again, in another sparring session.

Sam will undergo plastic surgery to erase the scar tissue and he will be out for six months. Thank goodness quantum leap advances in plastic surgery are able to salve, achieve and mend this. In the past, many boxers were greatly hampered by scarred brows. Livid tramlines opened up like zip fasteners, splitting asunder, cascading blood, in the heat of hell for leather action. Ointments and soaking the face in a bucket of brine, proved to be old housewives’ tales and of little use, after the opening bell tolled.

So, a scramble to be innovative, save the show and find another opponent, at very short notice was underway. Ye Joon Kim, 21-2-2, 13 KO’s was on the same bill. He was going to be fighting Filipino Kenny Demecillo, 17-8-2, 10 KO’s in an eight rounder, But now, he’s been offered the chance of a lifetime at the big time, to fight one of the most brilliant and ruthless power punchers per pound around.

Naoya wants to and needs to stay active and sharp. Sometime this year, he might be engaged in a Megafight, the biggest clash of Japanese superstars for many a year, with also undefeated, unblemished compatriot Junto Nakatani, 29-0, 22 KO’s who is the WBC bantamweight champion. A Tall, rangy southpaw Junto faces a stern test against unbeaten and dangerous hard hitting Mexican David ‘’General’’ Cuellar Contreras, 28-0, 18 KO’s on February 24^th, also at the Ariake Arena. Both Junto and Nayoa must compete and complete their commitments to realize that Mega-Fight.

There is also some talk of Inoue fighting unbeaten WBC Silver Champion Alan David Picasso, 31-0-1, 17 KO’s in April at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Inoue hasn’t fought in the United States since June 2021.

Naoya Inoue is conscious and all too aware of the setback, which led to this current situation and has accordingly said: ‘’I’m very sorry to all of my fans. But I would appreciate your support on January 24^th. I’ll be sure to give you my best performance on that day.’’

A four- division world champion, Superstar Naoya aged thirty- one, seeks to preserve a pristine 28-O, 25 KO’s record. The opponent from South Korea he now faces, brings a very different style to the elusive skills set he was preparing for. As for Ye Joon Kim, he has a monumental task ahead of him. For it, he’ll receive the best pay day of his twelve years pro career. But the motivation to win, far exceeds this. To be the best, you have to fight the best and he is preparing to fight at a level he has never encountered before. Like all sportsmen, he is ambitious to test himself against brilliance and he is going into to this fight with the will to win. Nothing less, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

Kim aged thirty- two has built a respectable career. After an early UD defeat in his second pro fight against Sa Myung Noh and a couple of draws, he started to show promise and flourish. He won the vacant WBC Youth Super-bantamweight title with an eighth round TKO of Akihiro Matsumoto. He went on to win the vacant IBF Asia belt with a SD over Virgil Puton and achieved four successful defences. But almost two years ago, he came unstuck, losing a MD to Rob Diezel.

Two fights later, he won the WBO Oriental title with a fifth round TKO of Rakesh Lohchab. This was his most recent fight on May 5^th last year. Also nicknamed Pacquiweather, Kim is said to have a blend of styles reminiscent of Manny and Floyd. He is an adept counter puncher and delivers a high volume of punches.

Naoya is the Mount Everest facing Kim. His only momentary mishaps, were getting caught with a fearsome left hook in round two by Nonito Donaire in their first fight. That punch broke his nose, fractured his right orbital bone and sliced upon a divot over his right eye. Yet he regrouped, decked Nonito in round eleven with a searing left to the liver and persevered to win a UD, but only after a classic for the ages.

Luis Nery dropped Naoya for the first time in his career in the first round with a big let hook. But Naoya got up and went on the offensive knocking Luis down three times on the way to a sixth round TKO victory. Most recently, he battered brave Irishman TJ Doheny who hobbled with a hip injury and was TKO’d in round seven.

Some people are saying this upcoming fight is a Rocky-like scenario. In the legendary film, club fighter Rocky Balboa is given the opportunity by champion Apollo Creed to fight for the heavyweight title and comes within a proverbial ace of dethroning him in their first bludgeoning, blistering encounter. But let’s get real. That was a rip roaring and marvellous fictional tale, created and written by the Great Sylvester Stallone, who starred in the movie.

This is real life and in reality, the punches are tangibly and hurtfully different. They aren’t choregraphed, they land with a thud. Kim is much more than a club fighter and has built a respectable record. Top marks for him for courageously seizing the moment and the opportunity with it. A Kim win would be a monumental upset of gigantic proportions for him. With all of his brilliant skills, experience and phenomenal punching power, Inoue is going to try his superb utmost to insure this doesn’t happen.

It has been said that Naoya Inoue, like every fighter has two arms and can be vulnerable. But what arms and what fists on the end of them, plus a brilliant ring generalship, driven and reinforced by a burning desire to win and add to his already shining record.

He won’t be taking Kim lightly and for his part, Kim who is nicknamed the Troublemaker aims to be The Trouble Shooter. He must fight the fight of his life to stay with The Monster, as the minutes tick by.