Naoya Inoue’s newest defence of his world super-bantamweight titles has been postponed from its preliminary Christmas Eve date after challenger Sam Goodman suffered a lower in sparring.
Japanese star Inoue, who has been undisputed in his division since knocking out Marlon Tapales a 12 months in the past, will now battle Australian Goodman in Tokyo on Friday January 24.
Goodman’s camp introduced on Saturday that the 26-year-old had sustained a lower above his left eye, with the fighter receiving 4 stiches after what he mentioned on Instagram was a “freak accident”.
Goodman has received all 19 of his skilled bouts, together with eight through knockout, and was final within the ring in July when he beat Thailand’s Chainoi Worawut through unanimous resolution.
Undefeated Inoue, who has secured 25 knockouts throughout his 28 wins and stopped TJ Doheny in his earlier bout in September, mentioned on social media: “I am sorry to everybody who was trying ahead to it. We hope you’ll come once more on the brand new dates.
“Let’s fight at our best.”
Inoue grew to become undisputed bantamweight champion when he stopped Paul Butler in December 2022, earlier than transferring up in weight and persevering with to dominate.
The 31-year-old knocked out Luis Nery in Might of this 12 months after which recorded victory over Doheny within the seventh spherical 4 months later.
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