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Japan’s undefeated Naoya Inoue, 31, will face Britain’s Sam Goodman on January 24 at the Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku in Tokyo, Japan. In a fight that looks like a formality for Inoue, and he should win easily. Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is no threat to the Monster, and we think this should be his last fight at super bantamweight.
If Inoue decides to move up to featherweight, we have several fighters out there who are ready to take him up to that weight class in a title fight. However, his team’s plans could see him take a preparatory fight before facing one of the current featherweight champions.
Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza and Angelo Leo are logical candidates. Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton fought in February, and the winner could get his name on the list. If Naoya wants to fight for a title right away. Fulton was knocked out by Inoue in 2023 in 8 rounds at super bantamweight.
Another man in this weight class who could emerge is Robeisy Ramírez. The Cuban lost to Espinoza in a controversial fight, and little is known about his medical situation after his defeat against El Divino. However, his status in this weight class opens up a margin for measuring Inoue if he has already regained his health.
Nick Ball will face TJ Doheny on March 15, which closes the possibility of both of them facing Naoya soon. Rey Vargas hasn’t won since 2022, and O’Shaquie Foster has yet to beat Robinson Conceicao; most likely, they will have a third fight after their split decision wins in both fights.
While Naoya’s featherweight outlook isn’t bright, boxing fans remain interested in seeing him against the top at 126 pounds. Continuing with 122 would be a waste of time and money for the Japanese monster. His superiority at super bantamweight is extensive, and we don’t see anyone being able to stop him or give him a tough fight.
We believe that in 2025, Naoya should step up and reach featherweight. Most fans want to gauge his ability against the 126-pounder. If his team in Japan decides to let him move up in weight, the name of the opponent must be important.
Naoya Inoue’s position on the LxL charts means that his featherweight opponent should be a real contender. Due to their physical advantages in height and reach, Rey Vargas and Rafael Espinoza appear to be very strong rivals. We don’t know if the Mexicans will be able to continue at featherweight for long; both may have to go to super featherweights, which opens up a more even compass for Inoue at this weight.
After considering all the possibilities, among the top featherweight contenders, although it seems unlikely, we are inclined to believe that Cuba’s Robeisy Ramírez could be the chosen one. The reason is that the Cuban still holds his name at the top of this weight class, and Inoue’s physical disadvantages would not be as overwhelming.
Regardless of who Naoya Inoue and his team choose to make the jump to 126 pounds, it’s a fact that fans want to see him go up against the best in that weight class. Naoya, to some, looks invincible not only at 126 pounds, but they even see him in the future, closing out his career and dominating at super featherweight, which seems unlikely.
For now, we’ll be content to watch him move up in weight and measure up against the best featherweights available in 2025. There are names that can surprise Inoue at this weight, and we can’t wait to see if he can maintain his power and mastery with this weight.
