Naoya Inoue fight given new date after rival suffers horror cut in bloody sparring session
Naoya Inoue’s fight with Sam Goodman has now been delayed until 2025. The Japanese pound-for-pound star was set to face IBF mandatory challenger Goodman on December 24 at the Ariaka Arena in Koto Ku during the Christmas period. Naoki FukudaInoue’s next fight has been postponed[/caption] But he will now be forced to wait another month until January 24 to defend his undisputed titles, after Goodman suffered a nightmare injury just before flying out to Tokyo. Images surfaced of a nasty cut above the Australian’s left eye, which he had suffered in sparring just under two weeks out from the event. It was reported by his promoter No Limit Boxing’s Matt Rose that the unfortunate wound was opened up in one of his final sparring session’s before the fight. Goodman was keen himself to continue and step into the squared circle, but his frustration was eventually talked around by coaches. The devastated challenger released a video statement confirming the news. “Hey everyone,” he said. “Just wanted to let everyone know what happened this morning. “I was having my last spar before we flew out to Tokyo and, by freak accident, just got cut resulting in four stitches. “And if I had it my way, I’d like to proceed with the fight. “But taking on a guy like this, my team, ah, my team were just saying I wouldn’t have the same team in my corner letting me go into a fight like this compromised. “And I’m absolutely devastated to be doing this. I just want to say sorry to everyone who was coming over. X - Ben DamonGoodman released a statement after suffering a nasty cut in sparring[/caption] “I know how hard it was to make that decision and come over and support me, especially this time of year. “To Inoue and his team, I know they would’ve been preparing hard for this fight and I don’t want my opportunity to go anywhere. “I want to fight this guy. This has been a 14-week camp but this has been the last 15 years of my life, everything I’ve ever done to get into this position and to take this guy on. “I just want the chance to have a crack against him for all those belts. “And hopefully we can get it on sooner rather than later once this cut heals up.” His promoter Rose then added: “This moment, it was so rare. So it’s just devastating. Fox SportsGoodman was left with blood on his face during a nasty session[/caption] “You’re not simply fighting for a world title, but looking to bring down the greatest fighter on earth. “We’ve spoken with the guys in Japan and let them know what has transpired with the cut.” The bout has officially been rescheduled and Goodman will still get his chance when the cut has healed. Inoue is currently undefeated, and the Aussie remains a huge underdog in the fight but confidently fancied his chances. It has been another hugely successful year for ‘The Monster’ who defeated Luis Nery in May, before beating TJ Doheny in September. His formidable power and elite technique have made him no match for any challenger, but Goodman will still hope to be the first to record one of the sport’s biggest upsets by beating Inoue.
Naoya Inoue’s fight with Sam Goodman has now been delayed until 2025.
The Japanese pound-for-pound star was set to face IBF mandatory challenger Goodman on December 24 at the Ariaka Arena in Koto Ku during the Christmas period.
But he will now be forced to wait another month until January 24 to defend his undisputed titles, after Goodman suffered a nightmare injury just before flying out to Tokyo.
Images surfaced of a nasty cut above the Australian’s left eye, which he had suffered in sparring just under two weeks out from the event.
It was reported by his promoter No Limit Boxing’s Matt Rose that the unfortunate wound was opened up in one of his final sparring session’s before the fight.
Goodman was keen himself to continue and step into the squared circle, but his frustration was eventually talked around by coaches.
The devastated challenger released a video statement confirming the news.
“Hey everyone,” he said. “Just wanted to let everyone know what happened this morning.
“I was having my last spar before we flew out to Tokyo and, by freak accident, just got cut resulting in four stitches.
“And if I had it my way, I’d like to proceed with the fight.
“But taking on a guy like this, my team, ah, my team were just saying I wouldn’t have the same team in my corner letting me go into a fight like this compromised.
“And I’m absolutely devastated to be doing this. I just want to say sorry to everyone who was coming over.
“I know how hard it was to make that decision and come over and support me, especially this time of year.
“To Inoue and his team, I know they would’ve been preparing hard for this fight and I don’t want my opportunity to go anywhere.
“I want to fight this guy. This has been a 14-week camp but this has been the last 15 years of my life, everything I’ve ever done to get into this position and to take this guy on.
“I just want the chance to have a crack against him for all those belts.
“And hopefully we can get it on sooner rather than later once this cut heals up.”
His promoter Rose then added: “This moment, it was so rare. So it’s just devastating.
“You’re not simply fighting for a world title, but looking to bring down the greatest fighter on earth.
“We’ve spoken with the guys in Japan and let them know what has transpired with the cut.”
The bout has officially been rescheduled and Goodman will still get his chance when the cut has healed.
Inoue is currently undefeated, and the Aussie remains a huge underdog in the fight but confidently fancied his chances.
It has been another hugely successful year for ‘The Monster’ who defeated Luis Nery in May, before beating TJ Doheny in September.
His formidable power and elite technique have made him no match for any challenger, but Goodman will still hope to be the first to record one of the sport’s biggest upsets by beating Inoue.
