Another brutal knockout by "The Monster" Naoya Inoue: his opponent taunted him, and he left him slumped against the ropes.

Another brutal knockout by "The Monster" Naoya Inoue: his opponent taunted him, and he left him slumped against the ropes.

The brilliant Japanese fighter extended his undefeated record to 29 wins, securing his 26th victory by knockout against South Korea's Ye Joon Kim. His next fight is expected to take place in Las Vegas.

Naoya "The Monster" Inoue, one of boxing’s brightest stars, showcased his dominance yet again, extending his undefeated record to an impressive 29 wins. The 31-year-old Japanese fighter delivered his 26th knockout victory in a stunning performance against South Korea's Ye Joon Kim at the Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo.

Known as one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers of this era, Inoue continues to solidify his legacy as a future Hall of Famer. The fight, which took place in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, saw Inoue defend his WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO super bantamweight titles. The knockout came in the fourth round when Inoue cornered his opponent and landed two precise left-handed punches—one to the face and another to the body—that left Kim staggering.

Despite Kim’s attempt to provoke Inoue with taunts and gestures, the Japanese fighter kept his composure, sensing an opportunity to end the bout. As Kim retreated, Inoue unleashed a devastating left-right combination that sent his opponent crashing into the ropes. Kim couldn’t recover, and the fight was over. Top Rank, Inoue’s promotional company, summed it up perfectly on social media: “Kim asked for more, and Inoue made him pay. Be careful what you wish for.”

After the fight, Kim admitted his misstep, explaining that his taunts were intended to create an opening for a counterattack. “It’s humiliating,” Kim said. “I regret provoking him.”

A Career Defined by Championships

Inoue’s rise to the top of boxing is marked by his achievements across multiple weight divisions. Starting his career in the light flyweight division, he captured world titles in super flyweight, bantamweight, and now super bantamweight. His most recent championship victory came in July 2023 when he stopped the undefeated American Stephen Fulton in the eighth round in Tokyo. That win secured the WBC and WBO belts, which he later unified with the IBF and WBA titles by defeating Filipino fighter Marlon Tapales in the tenth round.

Inoue has defended his titles against top-tier opponents, including a dramatic comeback victory over Mexican fighter Luis Nery after being knocked down in the first round, and a dominant win against Irishman TJ Doheny.

Ye Joon Kim: A Worthy Challenger

Ye Joon Kim entered the ring with an impressive record of 21 wins (13 by knockout), two no-decisions, and only two losses. However, he had never been knocked out until he faced Inoue. The South Korean fighter, nicknamed "The Troublemaker," previously suffered defeats on points early in his career and during his lone fight in the United States—a split-decision loss to Rob Diezel in April 2023. Kim’s bout against Inoue marked his third fight in Japan, following a knockout victory over Rakesh Lohchab in May 2022.

What’s Next for "The Monster"?

This fight was initially scheduled against Australia’s undefeated Sam Goodman (19-0), but an injury forced Goodman to withdraw, prompting a last-minute replacement. Despite the abrupt change, Inoue delivered another stellar performance, marking his 24th world championship victory—a record unmatched by any active boxer today.

According to Japanese media outlet Hochi, Inoue’s next fight is expected to take place in April or May 2025, potentially in Las Vegas. However, Saudi Arabia is also being considered as a venue, given the country’s growing presence in hosting major sporting events.

Inoue reflected on the overwhelming support from fans after the fight, hinting at the significance of what lies ahead. “Thank you to everyone who came out today. The energy was incredible. I didn’t prepare as much as I wanted due to the change in opponents, but I hope 2025 will be a defining year for me,” he said.

If the anticipated Las Vegas bout becomes a reality, it will mark Inoue’s fifth fight outside Japan. His past international victories include a sixth-round knockout of Antonio Neves in Carson, California, in 2017; a second-round KO against Emmanuel Rodríguez in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2019; and two back-to-back knockouts in Las Vegas against Jason Moloney in 2020 and Michael Dasmarinas in 2021.

As Naoya Inoue’s star continues to rise, fans worldwide eagerly await his next chapter. Whether in Las Vegas or Saudi Arabia, "The Monster" is poised to further cement his status as one of boxing’s all-time greats.

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