A ‘Monster’ purse bid is on the horizon.
The Ring has discovered that the IBF has scheduled an Oct. 29 listening to to find out promotional rights for the Naoya Inoue-Sam Goodman obligatory title combat. The 2 sides have been ordered to start negotiations in mid-September for his or her junior featherweight championship. The sanctioning physique has but to be notified of a deal in place and has taken acceptable motion.
“On September 12, 2024 the IBF ordered Champion Naoya Inoue and #1 rated Sam Goodman to start negotiations,” IBF president Daryl Individuals knowledgeable all registered promoters in a letter obtained by The Ring. “An settlement couldn’t be reached throughout the timeframe allotted.
“The IBF is ordering a handbag bid on this workplace on Tuesday, October 29, 2024 at 12 Midday. Bids have to be submitted at 11:45 AM to be promptly opened at 12 Midday.”
Goodman is Inoue’s IBF junior featherweight obligatory challenger. Inoue is The Ring and undisputed champion on the weight however with two obligatory title defenses to honor, starting with the IBF.
The 2 sides can nonetheless come to phrases at any level previous to the beginning of the purse bid listening to. Given the combat’s standing, it’s the path usually traveled.
Japan’s Inoue (28-0, 25 knockouts) has been with Ohashi Promotions all through his already Corridor-of-Fame worthy profession. The RING’s No. 2 pound-for-pound entrant and reigning Fighter of the 12 months can be co-promoted by High Rank. Australia’s Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is with No Restrict Boxing.
The enticing matchup pits two of the 4 highest ranked fighters on the weight by The Ring. Inoue has been The Ring champion at 122 since final Dec. 26. Goodman has superior to No. 3 at 122.
Inoue absolutely unified the division with a tenth-round knockout of Marlon Tapales final Dec. 26 at Ariake Area in Tokyo. He claimed the IBF and WBA belts, retained the WBC and WBO titles and fulfilled The Ring championship emptiness.
With the win got here inherited WBA and IBF mandatories. Tapales was the No. 1-ranked IBF contender when he defeated Murodjon Akhmadaleiev final April 8 in San Antonio, Texas. Akhmadaliev (12-1, 9 KOs) has since made his option to the WBA No. 1 place and was even ordered to subsequent face Inoue. Nonetheless, the sanctioning physique has but to name for a handbag bid or additional advance that standing.
It opened the door for Goodman to obtain his first profession title shot greater than a yr after incomes his place in line. The unbeaten boxer soundly defeated Ra’eese Aleem of their June 2023 title eliminator to develop into the No. 1 contender. He has since fought 4 instances whereas awaiting his crack on the division’s prime prize. Comparatively, Akhmadaliev’s WBA title elimination win over Kevin Gonzalez is his solely combat throughout that span. Nonetheless, a lot of the explanation for the inactivity was anticipating a WBA obligatory title shot versus Inoue that compelled a minimum of as soon as bout cancelation.
Nonetheless, Inoue and his group nonetheless want to come back appropriate with Goodman to protect his focused Dec. 24 combat date in Japan. This very matchup was rumored to headline the Christmas Eve present. There’s work to be finished to get there, and to keep away from a handbag bid listening to.
Inoue has received titles in 4 weight divisions, together with undisputed reigns at 118 and 122. He has twice defended The Ring championship and all 4 main belts at 122 this yr. Each have been knockout wins over former titleholders. Inoue survived his lone profession knockdown in a sixth-round knockout of Luis Nery on Could 4 at Tokyo Dome. It was adopted by a seventh-round stoppage of TJ Doheny on Sept. 3 at Ariake Area.