Naoya Inoue’s next title defence confirmed

NAOYA INOUE will fight for the third time in 2024 when he defends his undisputed super-bantamweight crown against Sam Goodman on December 24.

Boxing near the end of the year or on New Year’s Eve has become an annual tradition in Japan and fans will no doubt pack out the Ariake Arena in Tokyo to watch their superstar on Christmas Eve.

With a perfect record of 28 wins in 28 fights Inoue is also one of boxing’s most fearsome punchers with 25 opponents failing to hear the final bell.

Goodman brings his own unbeaten slate to the table with 19 wins but with only eight of them inside the distance. The severity of Goodman’s task is there for all to see and for the first time in his career the Albion Park fighter will compete out of his homeland.

The 26-year-old holds solid points wins over TJ Doheny and Ra’eese Aleem, both in 2023, and this year the Aussie recorded victories over Mark Schleibs and Thachtana Luangphon.

Inoue lit up the Tokyo Dome in May recovering from a knockdown to halt Luis Nery in six rounds and last month put Doheny to the sword in seven.

WBO bantamweight titlist Yoshiki Takei is the first fighter announced for the undercard but his opponent is yet to be named.

For Inoue, this could well be his finale at 122lbs, before moving up to featherweight in 2025 where he could go after an unprecedented third undisputed crown.

American fight fans can catch Inoue-Goodman on ESPN+. There is no confirmed coverage for UK fans but Sky Sports will likely broadcast the event.