The undefeated Japanese Naoya Inoue, at 31 years old, will face the British Sam Goodman on January 24 at the Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku, in Tokyo, Japan. In a fight that looks like a formality for Inoue, and should easily win. Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is not a threat to the Monster, and we think it should be his last fight in Super Bantamweight.
If Inoue decides to climb to featherweight, we have several fighters there who are ready to welcome him into this weight class in a title fight. However, his team’s plans could lead him to a preparatory fight first before facing one of the current featherweight champions.
Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza and Angelo Leo are logical candidates. Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton fought each other in February, and the winner could slip his name onto the list. If Naoya wants to fight for a title right away. Fulton was knocked out by Inoue in 2023 in 8 rounds at super-bantamweight.
Another man in this weight category who could emerge is Robeisy Ramirez. The Cuban lost to Espinoza in a controversial fight, and little is known about his medical situation after his defeat against El Divino. However, his status in this weight category opens up a margin for measuring Inoue if he has already recovered his health.
Nick Ball will face TJ Doheny on March 15, which closes the possibility of both against Naoya soon. Rey Vargas has not won since 2022, and O’Shaquie Foster still has not beaten Robinson Conceicao; most likely, they will have a third fight after their victories via split decision in both fights.
Although Naoya’s outlook at featherweight is not bright, boxing fans remain interested in seeing him against the top in 126 lb. Continuing at 122 would waste time and money for the Japanese Monster. His superiority against the super bantamweight is wide, and we do not see anyone able to stop him or give him a hard fight.
We believe that in 2025, Naoya should step forward and rise to featherweight. Most fans want to measure his capacity against the 126-pounders. If his team in Japan decides to let him move up in weight, the opponent’s name has to be important.
Naoya Inoue’s position in the LxL lists means that his featherweight rival must be a real contender. Due to their physical advantages in stature and reach, Rey Vargas and Rafael Espinoza look like very strong rivals. We don’t know if the Mexicans will be able to continue at featherweight for a long time; it is possible that both must go to super feathers, which opens a more even compass for Inoue in this weight.
After considering all the possibilities, among the best contenders in the featherweight, although it seems unlikely, we are inclined to believe that the Cuban Robeisy Ramirez could be the chosen one. The reason is that the Cuban still keeps his name at the top of this weight, and Inoue’s physical disadvantages would not be so overwhelming.
Regardless of who Naoya Inoue and his team choose to make the 126-pound jump, it’s a fact that the fans want to see him face the best in that weight class. Naoya, for some, looks invincible not only at 126 lbs but even sees him in the future, closing his career and dominating in super featherweight, which seems unlikely.
For now, we will settle for seeing him gain weight and measure against the best available featherweight during 2025. There are names that can surprise Inoue at this weight, and we are eager to see if he can maintain his power and dominance at this weight.