The Monster’s Toughest Test: Inoue v Akhmadaliev Preview and Prediction

Naoya Inoue (1.10) v Murodjon Akhmadaliev (7.00) (Undisputed Super Bantamweight Championship)

1 PM Sunday SA time

He’s a beast in a 5’5″ frame. Blessed with devastating power on top of lightning-fast speed and extraordinary boxing ability, Inoue is an anomaly.

The man known as “The Monster” boasts a perfect record of 30-0 with 27 knockouts. His hunger to seek and destroy is insatiable and has fuelled him on his journey to becoming one of the all-time greats.

A four-weight world champion and a two-weight undisputed kingpin, he’s continued his pugilistic purge this year with knockout victories over Ye Joon Kim and Ramon Cardenas in January and May, respectively.

The clash with Cardenas was a thriller as Inoue was dropped for only the second time in his career, but rallied for a resounding win. That knockdown, however, will boost Akhmadaliev’s belief that he can be the one to beat the seemingly unbeatable champion.

Akhmadaliev was long thought to be on a collision course with Inoue, but was derailed by a shock loss to Marlon Tapales in April 2023. That split decision defeat remains the only blemish on his record.

Inoue went on to knockout Tapales eight months later, while Akhmadaliev rolled up his sleeves and got back to work. As if a fire had been lit under him, the Uzbekistan ace rebounded with three straight stoppage wins to finally earn his shot at Inoue and undisputed glory.

A former unified super bantamweight champion, “MJ” knocked out Luis Castillo last time out to take his record to 14-1 with 11 knockouts. A sharp southpaw with tremendous technique and a tireless gas tank that he uses to put opponents under relentless pressure, he’s expected to provide Inoue with his sternest test yet.

Inoue, himself, has labelled Akhmadaliev as the toughest opponent of his career, which means two things: one, we’re in for a barnburner, and two, we should see the best version of the Japanese legend.

So, can Akhmadaliev shock the world? He has a few things going for him. Along with his aforementioned strengths, the 30-year-old is double tough, so much so that he should make it into deep waters. However, I can’t see him pull off the upset.

Akhmadaliev will likely pour it on early, but once Inoue figures him out and finds his timing, the tide will turn. The 32-year-old should start to break down the challenger in the middle rounds and get the stoppage in the later rounds.

Prediction: Inoue by knockout.

Best Bets: The safe bet is Inoue by knockout at 1.40, but for a greater return, I like the fight – scheduled for 12 rounds – to go over 8.5 rounds at 1.80.