Naoya Inoue's title defence pushed back from Christmas Eve to January 24 after Sam Goodman injury
Naoya Inoue says Christmas Eve title defence postponed until January 24 after challenger Sam Goodman suffers cut above eye in sparring; Inoue has been undisputed in super-bantamweight division since December 2023; undefeated Japanese has 28 wins, including 25 via knockout
Saturday 14 December 2024 12:38, UK
Naoya Inoue's latest defence of his world super-bantamweight titles has been postponed from its initial Christmas Eve date after challenger Sam Goodman suffered a cut in sparring.
Japanese star Inoue, who has been undisputed in his division since knocking out Marlon Tapales a year ago, will now fight Australian Goodman in Tokyo on Friday January 24.
Promoters Top Rank have not confirmed the news but Inoue announced the rescheduled date on social media.
Goodman's camp announced on Saturday that the 26-year-old had sustained a cut above his left eye, with the fighter receiving four stiches after what he said on Instagram was a "freak accident".
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Goodman has won all 19 of his professional bouts, including eight via knockout, and was last in the ring in July when he beat Thailand's Chainoi Worawut via unanimous decision.
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Undefeated Inoue, who has secured 25 knockouts across his 28 wins and stopped TJ Doheny in his previous bout in September, said on X: "I'm sorry to everyone who was looking forward to it. We hope you will come again on the new dates.
"Let's fight at our best."
Inoue became undisputed bantamweight champion when he stopped Paul Butler in December 2022, before moving up in weight and continuing to dominate.
The 31-year-old knocked out Luis Nery in May of this year and then recorded victory over Doheny in the seventh round four months later.
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