The Long-Awaited Clash: Hearn’s Campaign Brings Inoue and Akhmadaliev to Japan on Sunday

Promoter Eddie Hearn says the conflict between undisputed tremendous bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue and Murodjon Akhmadaliev is a “50-50” one for this Sunday, September 14, 2025, on the IG Enviornment, Nagoya, Japan.

Hearn promoters WBA interim 122-lb champion Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KOs), and feels that the rationale this battle is going on is the stress that he’s placed on Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) to take this battle. He’s been at it for shut to 2 years, calling for ‘Monster’ to take the battle. Now, he’s lastly gotten his want.

The U.S. Viewership Problem

Inoue might be defending his 4 IBF, WBA, WBC, and WBO 122-lb titles in what might be the hardest battle of his profession. To this point, the toughest battle was his first bout in opposition to Nonito Donaire on November 7, 2019. That was a 36-year-old model of Donaire that Inoue fought.

The Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev occasion begins at 4:00 AM ET / 1:00 AM PT, stay on FIGHT SPORTS MAX this Sunday, September 14, 2025.

The rationale behind Inoue-Akhmadaliev being scheduled for this Sunday is to keep away from conflicting with the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford occasion this Saturday, September 13. By scheduling Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev on Sunday, it maximizes viewership by avoiding competing with Saturday’s occasion.

“Inoue in opposition to MJ is without doubt one of the greatest fights in boxing. I’ve to respect Inoue for taking it as a result of the folks round him didn’t need to take that battle,” mentioned Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn to Ring Journal.

Hearn goes slightly overboard together with his reward of the Inoue vs. MJ battle. It’s a great one, but it surely’s not one which many followers will see in the usdue to the absence of a significant broadcast community displaying it. Additionally, the early 4:00 AM ET begin time of the occasion will damage viewership.

Hearn’s “50/50” Stance

“I really feel like I goaded them sufficient to take it. I’m more than happy they took it. I see it as a 50/50 battle. The 2 greatest fighters within the division, the perfect battle within the division. We’re trying ahead to going to Japan in September for that battle.”

He’s a great fighter, however he’s no ‘Monster,’” mentioned High Rank promoter Bob Arum to Boxing Scene, speaking about Akhmadaliev not being on the extent of Inoue.