Home » Inoue ordered by WBA to face Akhmadaliev for 122-pound title

Inoue ordered by WBA to face Akhmadaliev for 122-pound title

Naoya Inoue was ordered by the World Boxing Association (WBA) to face Murodjon Akhmadaliev for the 122-pound title.

Visit Pacquiao Mansion for more boxing news and updates.

Naoya Inoue ordered to fight Murodjon Akhmadaliev 🥊 The monster and MJ have until July 14 to reach a deal or the fight will go to purse bid. The fight must take place before September 25 🏆👊🏽 pic.twitter.com/uI7z5MTp8U

— Bible of Boxing (@ringmagazine) June 13, 2024

INOUE ORDERED TO FACE AKHMADALIEV FOR WBA’S 122-POUND BELT

Furthermore, the WBA ordered Inoue (27-0, 24 KOs) to face its mandatory challenger Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) for the 122-pound belt.

“The World Boxing Association Championships Committee ordered the mandatory bout,” the WBA announced Thursday.

“The pioneer organization sent the official communication to the parties … and gave them 30 days to negotiate, which will end on July 14,” it added.

Interestingly, the 31-year-old Japanese superstar is coming off a sixth-round knockout win over Mexican Luis Nery in Tokyo on May 6.

Inoue’s promoters Ohashi Promotions and Top Rank, Matchroom Boxing, and World of Boxing, which promotes Akhmadaliev, will need to go through a purse bid by July 14.

Championships Committee ordered Inoue- Akhmadaliev https://t.co/vzNVbrOEAX

— WBA Boxing (@WBABoxing) June 13, 2024

WBA WANTS INOUE TO DEFEND TITLE AGAINST AKHMADALIEV ON SEPTEMBER 25

Furthermore, the WBA told Inoue’s camp to defend its title against Akhmadaliev on September 25 should both parties agree after the purse bid.

WBA rules said that titleholders must honor his mandatory fight within nine months from when he claimed the belt.

Interestingly, Inoue knocked out Filipino Marlon Tapales (38-4, 20 KOs) in the 10th round in Tokyo last December 26 to unify the division.

The Japanese fighter also defended his WBC and WBO titles while earning the IBF and Ring championship belts.

Moreover, Inoue previously mentioned Akhmadaliev as part of his three-fight plan this year.

SAM GOODMAN FIGHT STALLED FOR INOUE DUE TO WBA’S DECISION

The WBA’s decision prevented IBF mandatory challenger Sam Goodman (18-0, 8 KOs) from pursuing a fight against Inoue.

The unbeaten Australian boxer confronted Inoue after the latter’s match against Nery to seek a fight at the time.

Goodman’s hype man, Nadim Haddad was disappointed by Inoue’s next fight plan.

“10 months of testing Inoue under his posts! I even had to learn how to speak Japanese, but we’re here now,” Haddad said on social media.

“Sam Goodman 118-110 incoming. There will be one scare moment in the fight, but I think Inoue will weather the storm and see the distance,” he added.