Ye Joon Kim took on possibly the toughest assignment in world boxing in just two weeks when he agreed to fight Naoya Inoue this Friday, live Sky Sports.
'The Monster' Inoue is one of the best boxers in the world at any weight, indeed he was the undisputed champion in two weight classes and holds the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF super bantamweight world titles.
It was for boxing's Australian challenger Sam Goodman who had to postpone a bout a month ago when he suffered a cut in sparring and then had to withdraw entirely when the cut reopened in training.
Kim was preparing for Friday's undercard bout at Ariake Arena and was on standby as a possible replacement. But still – going in with Inoue is progressing far beyond any level he's boxed at before.
Top Rank's Bob Arum, who represents Inoue, went so far as to compare the Japanese superstar's talents to Manny Pacquiao, who Arum also promoted.
“Boxers are unique. Manny Pacquiao was a great, great champion, he was great for boxing. His career is legendary. Naoya Inoue's career is even more legendary because, unlike Manny, he went through division after division without losing a fight,” Arum said. .
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Manny Pacquiao shows off his incredible speed ahead of exhibition bout with Japanese MMA fighter Ruki Anpo
“You really can't compare either of them because they're both obviously great fighters, but they're also different. Manny was reckless in a lot of fights and that's why he got knocked out in the last fight he had with (Juan Manuel) Marquez because he went on the attack and didn't watch out for the answer.
“But he was a great entertainer and he entertained the fans and he was loved not only in the Philippines but all over the United States.
“Now Inoue is a much more disciplined fighter. He's much more correct in the ring. He doesn't take stupid chances. Sometimes you do, but he usually doesn't take chances.
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Highlights from Naoya Inoue's undisputed super bantamweight world title fight with TJ Doheny in September
“I think if it's a skill set, from a technical boxing standpoint, Inoue has a lot more than Manny Pacquiao. That's not to denigrate Pacquiao, it's just to say that in Inoue we have not only a hard knockout, but a very, very well trained technical fighter .”
Inoue also has to adjust to a new opponent, but warned that he feels perfectly prepared for this next undisputed title fight, live Sky Sports+ from 7.30 on Friday morning.
“As I changed my schedule, I felt that preparing my body for this long was a big plus,” Inoue said.
“I think it will be best to make these adjustments before the big matches in the future. So I think the two postponements and the one-month delay have been helpful.”
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With Naoya Inoue set to fight once again on Sky Sports, watch his devastating win over Marlon Tapales in December 2023.
He added of Kim: “In terms of style, I get the impression that he's a player.
“I just want to believe in what I've learned from my 25-year boxing career and do my best on match day.”
Kim, who grew up in an orphanage and has amassed a professional boxing record of 21-2-2 (13), hopes to cap a remarkable journey against Inoue.
“I'm in a good position,” he said matter-of-factly. – I've been preparing for a month, so there's no problem.
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Naoya Inoue has devastating power in both hands and once he hurts you there's no going back!
Can Inoue be defeated?
Top Rank President Todd DuBoef said Sky Sports: “We had a big problem with Jaime Munguia. Who would have thought that?
“I think it was a wonderful display of surprise, that you were caught. Inoue is a top talent and we'll see what he does.
“I think Inoue is a super special fighter with an unheard of incredible IQ and power and speed in both hands. I think to get to him you have to be a very special fighter and probably a little bit of luck to get something from him, and he (Inoue) has to do something careless, I think he's really hard to beat.”
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Top Rank Chairman Todd DuBoef praises undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue
DuBoef added, “When he starts moving up, I think there could be some potential struggles. When he starts at 126 pounds or even 130, they're big guys compared to where he came from.
“Believe it or not, I think Junto Nakatani is on his heels and he looks great. Stylistically I can see the size of Nakatani, even though he's lighter weight, you look at his physical frame and the way he punches, this is a tough fight for Inoue.
“It's great to see that culture and that country really support boxing, and develop it to what it was. There's a lot to be done if we go back to Ryota Murata when he came out of the Olympics and Inoue at that time. We're really seeing a real renaissance there.”
Watch Inoue v Kim live on Sky Sports+ from 7.30am on Friday morning. Stream Sky Sports from NOW – No contract, cancel anytime