{"id":141045,"date":"2025-01-20T15:29:04","date_gmt":"2025-01-20T21:29:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/?p=141045"},"modified":"2025-01-20T15:49:26","modified_gmt":"2025-01-20T21:49:26","slug":"wbc-special-preview-inoue-vs-ye-joon-kim","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wbcboxing.com\/en\/wbc-special-preview-inoue-vs-ye-joon-kim\/","title":{"rendered":"WBC Special Preview: Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim"},"content":{"rendered":"

WBC Special Preview: Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim<\/strong><\/h2>\n

WBC STATISTICS<\/strong><\/p>\n

WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship<\/p>\n

January 24, 2025 \/ Tokyo, Japan \/ Ariake Arena<\/p>\n

OHASHI PROMOTION, TEIKEN PROMOTIONS and TOP RANK PRESENT:<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

NAOYA \u201cMonster\u201d INOUE<\/span><\/b> (Japan)<\/span><\/p>\n

WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion, 4th defense<\/span><\/p>\n

IBF, WBA, and WBO Super Bantamweight World Champion<\/span><\/p>\n

Former WBC Bantamweight World Champion, 1 Title Defense<\/span><\/p>\n

Former Super Flyweight Champion<\/p>\n

Former WBC Light Flyweight World Champion, 1 Title Defense<\/span><\/p>\n

Age: 31 \/ Date of birth: April 10, 1993<\/span><\/p>\n

Residence, birthplace: Zama, Kanagawa, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n

Record: 28-0, 25 KOs \/ Total rounds: 169 \/ World championship fights: 23-0, 21 KOs<\/span><\/p>\n

Height: 5\u20195\u201d \u2013 165cm \/ Reach: 67.5\u201d \u2013 171cm \/ Stance: Right-handed<\/span><\/p>\n

Manager: Sayuri Ohashi \/ Trainer: Shingo Inoue<\/span><\/p>\n

YE JOON \u201cTroublemaker\u201d KIM <\/strong>(South Korea)<\/p>\n

Age: 32 \/ Date of birth: October 11, 1992<\/p>\n

Residence, birthplace: Seoul, South Korea<\/p>\n

Record: 21-2-2, 13 KOs \/ Total rounds: 150<\/p>\n

Height: 5\u20195\u201d \u2013 165cm \/ Stance: Right-handed<\/p>\n

Manager: Mike Altamura \/ Trainer: John Bastable<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Rigoberto Riasco (Pan)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01976<\/li>\n
  2. Royal Kobayashi (Jap)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01976<\/li>\n
  3. Dong-Kyun Yum (Kor)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01976 \u2013 1977<\/li>\n
  4. Wilfredo Gomez (P. Rico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01977 \u2013 1982<\/li>\n
  5. Jaime Garza (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01983 \u2013 1984<\/li>\n
  6. Juan Meza (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1984 \u2013 1985<\/li>\n
  7. Lupe Pintor (Mex)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01985 \u2013 1986<\/li>\n
  8. Samart Payakaroon (Thai)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01986 \u2013 1987<\/li>\n
  9. Jeff Fenech (Aust)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1987 \u2013 1988<\/li>\n
  10. Daniel Zaragoza (Mex)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01988 \u2013 1990<\/li>\n
  11. Paul Banke (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1990<\/li>\n
  12. Pedro Decima (Arg)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1990 \u2013 1991<\/li>\n
  13. Kiyoshi Hatanaka (Jap)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01991<\/li>\n
  14. Daniel Zaragoza (Mex) *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01991 \u2013 1992<\/li>\n
  15. Thierry Jacob (Fra)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1992<\/li>\n
  16. Tracy Patterson (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1992 \u2013 1994<\/li>\n
  17. Hector Acero-Sanchez (D.R.)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01994 \u2013 1995<\/li>\n
  18. Daniel Zaragoza (Mex) *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a01995 \u2013 1997<\/li>\n
  19. Erik Morales (Mex)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1997 \u2013 2000<\/li>\n
  20. Willie Jorrin (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2000 \u2013 2002<\/li>\n
  21. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oscar Larios (Mex)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02002 \u2013 2005<\/li>\n
  22. Israel Vazquez (Mex)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2005 \u2013 2007<\/li>\n
  23. Rafael Marquez (Mexico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2007<\/li>\n
  24. Israel Vazquez (Mexico) *\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02007 \u2013 2008<\/li>\n
  25. Toshiaki Nishioka (Japan)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2008 \u2013 2012<\/li>\n
  26. Abner Mares (Mexico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2012 \u2013 2013<\/li>\n
  27. Victor Terrazas (Mexico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2013<\/li>\n
  28. Leo Santa Cruz (Mexico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02013 \u2013 2015<\/li>\n
  29. Julio Ceja (Mexico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2015 \u2013 2016<\/li>\n
  30. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hugo Ruiz (Mexico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02016<\/li>\n
  31. Hozumi Hasegawa\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a02016<\/li>\n
  32. Rey Vargas (Mexico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2017 \u2013 2020<\/li>\n
  33. Tomoki Kameda (Japan) Interim<\/em>2018<\/li>\n
  34. Luis Nery (Mexico)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2020 \u2013 2021<\/li>\n
  35. Brandon Figueroa (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2021<\/li>\n
  36. Stephen Fulton Jr. (US)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2021 \u2013 2023<\/li>\n
  37. Naoya Iinoue (Japan)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2023 \u2013<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    * Regained title<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    WBC TOP 10 SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    1. Wilfredo Gomez (Puerto Rico)<\/span><\/p>\n

    2. Erik Morales (Mexico)<\/span><\/p>\n

    3. Jeff Fenech (Australia)<\/span><\/p>\n

    4. Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico)<\/span><\/p>\n

    5. Israel Vazquez (Mexico)<\/span><\/p>\n

    6. Abner Mares (Mexico)<\/span><\/p>\n

    7. Leo Santa Cruz (Mexico)<\/span><\/p>\n

    8. Tracy Patterson (US)<\/span><\/p>\n

    9. Oscar Larios (Mexico)<\/span><\/p>\n

    10. Royal Kobayashi (Japan)<\/span><\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    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).<\/p>\n

    120 WBC super bantamweight world title bouts have been held in WBC history.<\/p>\n

    Wilfredo Gomez (Puerto Rico) holds the record for super bantamweight world title defenses with 17.<\/p>\n

    Daniel Zaragoza (Mexico) made 14 title defenses in three periods as champion.<\/p>\n

    Oscar Larios (Mexico) made 10 title defenses.<\/p>\n

     <\/p>\n

    MEMORABLE WBC SUPER BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

    Sept. 3, 2024\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Naoya Inoue TKO7 T.J. Doheny \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n

    May 6, 2024\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Naoya Inoue TKO6 Luis Nery \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n

    Dec. 26, 2023\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Naoya Inoue KO10 Marlon Tapales \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n

    July 25, 2023\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Naoya Inoue TKO8 Stephen Fulton \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n

    June 4, 2022\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Stephen Fulton Jr. W12 Danny Roman \u2013 Minneapolis, Minnesota<\/span><\/p>\n

    Nov. 27, 2021\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Stephen Fulton Jr. W12 Brandon Figueroa \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada<\/span><\/p>\n

    May 15, 2021\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Brandon Figueroa KO7 Luis Nery \u2013 Carson, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Sep. 26, 2020\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Luis Nery W12 Aaron Alameda \u2013 Uncasville, Connecticut<\/span><\/p>\n

    Feb. 25, 2017\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rey Vargas W12 Gavin McDonnell \u2013 Hull, England<\/span><\/p>\n

    Sep. 16, 2016\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hozumi Hasegawa TKO9 Hugo Ruiz \u2013 Osaka, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n

    Feb. 27, 2016\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hugo Ruiz TKO1 Julio Ceja \u2013 Anaheim, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Aug. 29, 2015\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Julio Ceja TKO5 Hugo Ruiz \u2013 Los Angeles, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Aug. 24, 2013\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Leo Santa Cruz KO3 Victor Terrazas \u2013 Carson, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Nov. 10, 2012\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Abner Mares W12 Anselmo Moreno \u2013 Los Angeles, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    May 23, 2009\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Toshiaki Nishioka TKO3 Jhonny Gonzalez \u2013 Monterrey, Mexico<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mar. 1, 2008\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Israel Vazquez W12 Rafael Marquez \u2013 Carson, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Aug. 4, 2007\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Israel Vazquez TKO6 Rafael Marquez \u2013 Hidalgo, Texas<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mar. 3, 2007\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rafael Marquez TKO7 Israel Vazquez \u2013 Carson, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Dec. 3, 2005\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Israel Vazquez TKO3 Oscar Larios \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada<\/span><\/p>\n

    May 17, 2002\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Oscar Larios TKO12 Israel Vazquez \u2013 Sacramento, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Feb. 19, 2000\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Erik Morales W12 Marco Antonio Barrera \u2013 Las Vegas, Nevada<\/span><\/p>\n

    Sep. 6, 1996\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Erik Morales KO11 Daniel Zaragoza \u2013 El Paso, Texas<\/span><\/p>\n

    Nov. 6, 1995\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Daniel Zaragoza W12 Hector Acero-Sanchez \u2013 Inglewood, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Aug. 26, 1994\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Hector Acero-Sanchez W12 Tracy Harris Patterson \u2013 Atlantic City<\/span><\/p>\n

    June 23, 1992\u00a0\u00a0Tracy Harris Patterson TKO2 Thierry Jacob \u2013 Albany, New York<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mar. 20, 1992\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Thierry Jacob W12 Daniel Zaragoza \u2013 Calais, France<\/span><\/p>\n

    Feb. 29, 1988\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Daniel Zaragoza TKO10 Carlos Zarate \u2013 Inglewood, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    May 8, 1987\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Jeff Fenech KO4 Samart Payakaroon \u2013 Sydney, Australia<\/span><\/p>\n

    Jan. 18, 1986\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Samart Payakaroon KO5 Lupe Pintor \u2013 Bangkok, Thailand<\/span><\/p>\n

    Aug. 18, 1985\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Lupe Pintor W12 Juan Meza \u2013 Mexico City, Mexico<\/span><\/p>\n

    Nov. 3, 1984\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Juan Meza KO1 Jaime Garza \u2013 Kingston, New York<\/span><\/p>\n

    June 15, 1983\u00a0\u00a0Jaime Garza TKO2 Bobby Berna \u2013 Los Angeles, California<\/span><\/p>\n

    Dec. 3, 1982\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wilfredo Gomez TKO14 Lupe Pintor \u2013 New Orleans, Louisiana<\/span><\/p>\n

    Oct. 28, 1978\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wilfredo Gomez TKO5 Carlos Zarate \u2013 San Juan, Puerto Rico<\/span><\/p>\n

    Jan. 19, 1978\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Wilfredo Gomez KO3 Royal Kobayashi \u2013 Kitakyushu, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n

    Oct. 9, 1976\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Royal Kobayashi KO8 Rigoberto Riasco \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/span><\/p>\n

    Apr. 3, 1976\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rigoberto Riasco TKO9 Waruinge Nakayama \u2013 Panama City, Panama<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \u2018\u2019Troublemaker\u2019\u2019 Meets \u2018\u2019Monster\u2019\u2019<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    By James Blears<\/p>\n

    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 24th<\/sup> at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.<\/p>\n

    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\u2026lightning while \u2018\u2019Fighting\u2019\u2019 struck twice. That cut, which had been neatly sealed by four stitches, opened up again, in another sparring session.<\/p>\n

    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\u2019 tales and of little use, after the opening bell tolled.<\/p>\n

    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\u2019s was on the same bill. He was going to be fighting Filipino Kenny Demecillo, 17-8-2, 10 KO\u2019s in an eight rounder, But now, he\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

    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\u2019s who is the WBC bantamweight champion. A Tall, rangy southpaw Junto faces a stern test against unbeaten and dangerous hard hitting Mexican David \u2018\u2019General\u2019\u2019 Cuellar Contreras, 28-0, 18 KO\u2019s on February 24th<\/sup>, also at the Ariake Arena. Both Junto and Nayoa must compete and complete their commitments to realize that Mega-Fight.<\/p>\n

    There is also some talk of Inoue fighting unbeaten WBC Silver Champion Alan David Picasso, 31-0-1, 17 KO\u2019s in April at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Inoue hasn\u2019t fought in the United States since June 2021.<\/p>\n

    Naoya Inoue is conscious and all too aware of the setback, which led to this current situation and has accordingly said: \u2018\u2019I\u2019m very sorry to all of my fans. But I would appreciate your support on January 24th<\/sup>. I\u2019ll be sure to give you my best performance on that day.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

    A four- division world champion, Superstar Naoya aged thirty- one, seeks to preserve a pristine 28-O, 25 KO\u2019s 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\u2019ll 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.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    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 5th<\/sup> 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.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    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\u2019d in round seven.<\/p>\n

    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\u2019s get real. That was a rip roaring and marvellous fictional tale, created and written by the Great Sylvester Stallone, who starred in the movie.<\/p>\n

    This is real life and in reality, the punches are tangibly and hurtfully different. They aren\u2019t 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\u2019t happen.<\/p>\n

    \"\"<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    He won\u2019t 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.<\/p>\n

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    <\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    WBC Special Preview: Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim WBC STATISTICS WBC Super Bantamweight World Championship January 24, 2025 \/ Tokyo, Japan \/ Ariake Arena OHASHI PROMOTION, [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n

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