Mar 18, 2025; Bunkyo, Tokyo, JPN; Professional Boxer Naoya Inoue walks onto the mound before throwing a ceremonial first pitch before the game against the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers during the Tokyo Series at Tokyo Dome. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

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Naoya Inoue vs Murodjon Akhmadaliev – Preview, Fight Card And Where To Watch

Boxing fans know that September often delivers the sport’s biggest fights. The fall season has given fans legendary battles like the first Gennady Golovkin versus Canelo Alvarez clash in 2017. Floyd Mayweather’s epic showdown with Canelo also happened during this magical month back in 2013. September 2025 continues this tradition with arguably the most anticipated super bantamweight fight in years.

Japanese sensation Naoya Inoue steps back into the boxing ring to face his toughest test yet. The undefeated ‘Monster’ puts his perfect 30-0 record on the line against former unified champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev from Uzbekistan. This is a chance to prove he belongs among boxing’s elite pound for pound fighters. Akhmadaliev brings serious credentials as a former two belt champion who only has one loss on his record. The stage is set for fireworks at the IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan on September 14th, and boxing fans couldn’t be more excited.

Naoya Inoue vs Murodjon Akhmadaliev Preview

Naoya Inoue holds all four major belts at super bantamweight after cleaning out the division over the past few years. His knockout ratio sits at an incredible 90 percent, which means nine out of ten opponents never hear the final bell. Inoue’s power transcends weight classes. He has dropped fighters with single shots as the southpaw’s left hand carries dynamite, and his timing is absolutely perfect.

He combines devastating punching ability with exceptional boxing IQ and footwork. ‘The Monster’ doesn’t waste energy or throw wild shots hoping to land something big. Every punch serves a purpose, whether it’s setting up his next combination or ending the fight entirely. His recent victory over Ramon Cardenas in May showed he’s still operating at peak performance levels.

We fixed it for the champ 🤝

Naoya Inoue will take to the red corner when he faces challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev in their Ring and undisputed super-bantamweight world title showdown 👑 pic.twitter.com/3cpYHIyQHR
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 31, 2025

Murodjon Akhmadaliev represents everything Inoue hasn’t faced yet in his career. The 30 year old Uzbekistani fighter held both the IBF and WBA super bantamweight titles before losing them to Stephen Fulton in early 2023. That defeat taught Akhmadaliev valuable lessons about championship level pressure and adapting mid fight. His recent knockout victory over Luis Castillo proved he’s still a dangerous finisher who can end fights with either hand. The orthodox fighter’s southpaw stance creates interesting angles that could trouble Inoue’s rhythm.

Naoya Inoue vs Murodjon Akhmadaliev Fight Card

The undercard features several intriguing matchups that boxing fans shouldn’t overlook on September 14th. Yoshiki Takei defends his WBO bantamweight title against Mexico’s Christian Medina Jimenez in what promises to be an action-packed co-main event. Takei’s perfect 11-0 record faces its biggest test against the experienced Jimenez, who brings 25 wins and serious knockout power to Japan.

Further down the card, Yuni Takada battles Ryusei Matsumoto for the WBA minimumweight title in a classic veteran versus prospect showdown. Japanese boxing cards always deliver in depth, and this event continues that proud tradition with meaningful fights from top to bottom.

Fight	Weight Class
Naoya Inoue vs Murodjon Akhmadaliev	Super Bantamweight (IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO title)
Yoshiki Takei vs Christian Medina Jimenez	Bantamweight (WBO title)
Yuni Takada vs Ryusei Matsumoto,	Minimumweight (WBA “Regular” title)
Yudai Murakami vs Taiga Imanaga	Lightweight (Vacant Japanese title)
Ei Go vs Shunpei Ohata	Super Featherweight
Toshiki Shimomachi vs Han Sol Lee	Super Bantamweight
Taisei Ayano vs Yusuke Nawa	Bantamweight

Where To Watch Naoya Inoue vs Murodjon Akhmadaliev

Watching this boxing spectacle requires some planning depending on your location around the globe. Japanese fans can catch all the action live on Lemino. Meanwhile international viewers will need to explore streaming options or VPN services. The event apparently won’t be streaming on DAZN.

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The main event starts at 4:00 AM ET for American fight fans, which means setting those alarms early or staying up very late. UK boxing enthusiasts can tune in at 8:30 AM local time, making it perfect for a weekend morning with coffee and excitement. Australian and New Zealand fans get the best deal with evening start times that fit perfectly into weekend entertainment plans. This fight promises to deliver everything boxing fans love: skill, power, and championship heart when it matters most.

(Image Credit: Darren Yamashita – Imagn Images)

Murodjon Akhmadaliev

Naoya Inoue

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!