Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev Breakdown

Undisputed Super Bantamweight Champion Naoya Inoue defends his titles against WBA mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev, as we look at how both could approach this fight. 

Inoue is coming off a dramatic eighth-round stoppage victory over Ramon Cardenas on May 4, a fight in which he was dropped. However, he quickly recovered and finished the fight in spectacular fashion, extending his stoppage streak to 11. Akhmadaliev, who holds a professional record of 14-1, is on a three-fight win streak. His last outing was a unanimous decision victory over Luis Castillo. The only loss on his record came against Marlon Tapales, the fighter Inoue defeated in the same year to become the undisputed champion. 

The Approach

Inoue’s strategy will be to overwhelm Akhmadaliev with his speed and power. “The Monster” will be looking to break his opponent down with a relentless body attack. For example, he used a signature left hook to the body to great effect in his knockout win over Paul Butler. He will also be looking to land his straight right hand, a punch he used to drop Luis Nery. Inoue’s masterful footwork allows him to cut off the ring, trapping his opponents and making it difficult for them to escape his combinations. “The Monster” has an 11-fight stoppage streak.

Akhmadaliev’s path to victory lies in his technical skills and durability. He is a career-long super bantamweight with a gold medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics and has a wealth of experience. His primary goal will be to avoid getting hit by Inoue’s power shots and to out-point him with his slick jab and combinations.

Akhmadaliev’s trainer, Joel Diaz, has already said that his fighter knows that Inoue can be hurt and that they are looking to capitalize on that. Akhmadaliev has also stated that he believes Inoue’s struggles at 122 pounds are because he is fighting bigger and stronger guys, and that he will be the toughest test of Inoue’s career.

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