For many fans, it became a matter of concern—they were eager to see Naoya Inoue in action. Last year, starting with the Luis Nery title defense, ‘The Monster’ fought twice. Hopes for a third fight emerged in October. An announcement came that Inoue would face Australian Sam ‘The Ghost’ Goodman on December 24. However, excitement quickly faded when news broke that Goodman would be unable to fight due to an eye injury. As a result, the fight was rescheduled for January 24. But once again, hopes of an exciting showdown were dashed when it became evident that Goodman still could not compete because of a recurring eye injury.

What followed was a search for a suitable replacement. The spotlight fell on regional super bantamweight titleholder and WBO number 11-ranked Ye Joon Kim. Many expect that Inoue will finally take on the much-anticipated fight against Murodjon Akhmadaliev. Or, closer to home, an all-Japan clash with bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani remains another possibility. Hence, the new matchup might serve as preparation for Inoue ahead of a much bigger clash in the months to come. Nevertheless, the fight and the card as a whole promise to deliver an eventful night for fans. So, let’s take a closer look at some of the key details before Inoue, Kim, and others step into the ring for their respective bouts.

What time will the Inoue vs. Joon Kim fight start? Date and venue

Opened to the public on February 3, 2020, the Ariake Arena will host the Inoue-Kim card. Built at a cost of $320 million, this multipurpose venue has previously hosted events for the Olympics and Paralympics. It can reportedly accommodate between 12,000 and 15,000 spectators. It was at the Ariake Arena that Inoue secured his bantamweight and super bantamweight undisputed titles. Hence, it probably holds a special place for him.

For viewers, understanding the time zones is crucial. Japan Standard Time (JST) is 9 hours ahead of the UK (GMT) and 13 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time (EST).

United Kingdom (UK)

The event will start at 8:00 a.m. GMT on Friday, January 24, which corresponds to 5:00 p.m. JST. Depending on how the undercard fights progress, the main event ring walk for Naoya Inoue and Ye Joon Kim could commence around 11:00 a.m. GMT or 8:00 p.m. JST.

United States (U.S.)

For US-based fans, the preliminary fights will reportedly begin at 4:00 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) or 1:15 a.m. Pacific Time (PT) on January 24. The main event will probably start around 6:00 a.m. ET or 3:00 a.m. PT.

Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim undercard

As of now, the event, including the highly anticipated Inoue-Kim bout, features a total of five fights. Let’s take a closer look at the details:

Super Bantam/Junior Featherweight

The headline fight sees Naoya Inoue (28-0-0) defending his undisputed championship against Ye Joon Kim (21-2-2) in a full twelve-round title clash.

Under the same weight class, top-ranked contender Toshiki Shimomachi (19-1-3) will defend his Japanese Boxing Commission title against Misaki Hirano (11-1-0). Unlike the main event, this bout is expected to be limited to ten rounds.

Welterweight

Jin Sasaki (18-1-1), a leading contender in the division, will put his Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title on the line against former Japanese welterweight champion Shoki Sakai (29-14-3). This showdown is scheduled for twelve rounds.

Minimum/Strawweight

WBO Asia Pacific champion Goki Kobayashi (8-1-0) will face Japanese titleholder and Philippines-born fighter Yuni Takada (15-8-3) in what promises to be a twelve-round thriller.

Lightweight

Perhaps the only fight on the card without a title at stake features Tsubasa Narai going up against Kai Watanabe. As a non-title bout, it is expected to be capped at ten rounds.

How to watch Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim? Tickets and PPV price

Depending on the region, the fight between Naoya Inoue and Ye Joon Kim will be streamed on specific platforms. The details are as follows:

United Kingdom

Sky Sports+ will broadcast the fight in the UK. It is a subscription-based TV network known for its extensive live sports coverage, including boxing. Viewers will need access to Sky Sports+ to watch the event.

United States

In the US, the fight will be streamed on ESPN+. Like Sky Sports, it is also a subscription-based service that offers live sports events, including major boxing matches.

With odds of nearly +4000 firmly in his favor, unsurprisingly, Inoue remains the overwhelming favorite to win. Considering the significant challenges he might face in the coming months, ‘The Monster’ will likely view the January 24 bout as an opportunity to sharpen his skills and prepare for tougher opponents.

On the other hand, Ye Joon Kim has a monumental task ahead of him. It would be a historic victory if he manages to pull off an upset against a modern-day great and future Hall of Famer. However, with +1500 odds highlighting his position as the underdog, Kim faces an uphill battle. Still, the opportunity to share the ring with an all-time great is an honor that the South Korean fighter is sure to cherish for years to come.

Who do you think Naoya Inoue should fight next? Should he continue to dominate at 122 pounds, or is it time for him to move up a division in pursuit of even greater challenges?