Comments Thread For: Plans in place for further Naoya Inoue fights in September, December, and early 2026

[BoxingUpdates]

Bob Arum has revealed that plans exist not only for Naoya Inoue to fight Murodjon Akhmadaliev in September, but for further fights in December and in early 2026 ? potentially against Junto Nakatani
[Click Here To Read More]

[SouthpawRight]

Sept Uzbek

Dec Limey

May 2026 Junto

September 2026 Rafael Espinoza

Bruce Carrington

[57Blues]

Line them up, and knock them down and yet why do i not like the exactness to who what and when ? I dont know he is a great fighter and carries himself well in and outside the ring but still never liked looking down the road as if it is an undefeated record all along.....

[BlackRobb]

Once he moves up to 126, Monster is not dropping back down to 122 at age 32, so the Nakatani fight needs to be early 2026. The Ball fight at 126 is not a priority, nor will it be competitive.

[HandsofIron]

Inoue shouldn't move up to 126, those guys are too big for him. Inoue should wait for Junto for a Japan super fight and then call it a career.

[famicommander]

Inoue shouldn't move up to 126, those guys are too big for him. Inoue should wait for Junto for a Japan super fight and then call it a career.

He already has a win over Fulton, he's bigger than Nick Ball, and he's about the same size as Angelo Leo. Espinoza is quite a bit bigger, but he's said he has trouble making 126 and may not stick around for long.

[SouthpawRight]

He already has a win over Fulton, he's bigger than Nick Ball, and he's about the same size as Angelo Leo. Espinoza is quite a bit bigger, but he's said he has trouble making 126 and may not stick around for long.

I want see Naoya VS Tall Guy Rafael and believe he's the co-main today for that reason!

[famicommander]

I want see Naoya VS Tall Guy Rafael and believe he's the co-main today for that reason!

I don't think Espinoza can stay at 126 for long enough to make that happen. Inoue's next 3 opponents after Cardenas are already locked in. He plans to fight Akhmadaliev in September, Ball in December, and then Nakatani in spring. So mid to late 2026 would be the earliest possible date for Espinoza vs Inoue, assuming nobody beats Inoue before that.

[komandante]

Inoue avoids Casimero

[famicommander]

Inoue avoids Casimero

Casimero is not a serious fighter and hasn't been for several years.