The WBA has ordered Naoya Inoue to face his super bantamweight mandatory Murodjon Akhmadaliev by September 25.
According to reports, they have until July 14 to agree before purse bids are called. Inoue was expected to take on his IBF mandatory Sam Goodman next. Inoue and Goodman sized each other up following The Monster’s knockout win against Luis Nery in his last fight. The win kept Inoue’s Undisputed Super Bantamweight Title, taking his undefeated record to 27-0, with 24 knockouts.
‼️ The WBA have now officially ordered Naoya Inoue to defend his undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF & WBO super-bantamweight world titles vs Murodjon Akhmadaliev next. Parties have 30 days (until July 14th) to agree deal or purse bids. Fight must happen before Sept 25th.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) June 14, 2024
However, Goodman will face Chainoi Worawut in July, leaving Inoue to pursue other targets. Akhmadaliev’s only loss came against Marlon Tapales, the same man Inoue stopped to become undisputed at 122 pounds. Since then, Akhmadaliev has bounced back, beating Kevin Gonzalez in his last fight. Should Inoue come out with a win, he could move up to featherweight next year, having already cleaned out the division.
“The World Boxing Association (WBA) Championships Committee ordered the mandatory bout. The pioneer organization sent the official communication to the parties.. and gave them 30 days to negotiate, which will end on July 14,” WBA
Reaction
This should be a good one!
— Doctor Boxing Talk | Pugilist Enthusiast (@DrPGnGM) June 14, 2024
Best fight for him at 122
— carbol (@carbonsewer) June 14, 2024
With a win over Akhmadaliev, Inoue would have beat the three top guys at 122 making his move to 126 very well deserved. pic.twitter.com/w8C4w56jdF
— AWUREDO (@AOUREDOO) June 14, 2024