Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim: Live round-by-round updates

Naoya Inoue, the reigning undisputed super bantamweight champion, is set to defend his titles against Ye Joon Kim, a late replacement for Sam Goodman, on Jan. 24 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. Inoue, with a flawless record of 28-0, boasting 25 knockouts, has built a reputation as one of the most dominant fighters in the sport.

The Japanese boxing star combines relentless pressure, precision, and explosive power, making him a nightmare for any opponent. Kim, on the other hand, enters this bout with a record of 21-2-2, including 13 knockouts. Despite being a former holder of regional titles like the WBC Youth and WBO Oriental championships, Kim faces a daunting task against Inoue.

Standing an inch shorter than the champion, Kim lacks the reach and physical advantages to cause problems for Inoue. However, as a late replacement, Kim has the element of unpredictability on his side. Experts suggest that to stand a chance, he must resist Inoue's pressure early, land counterattacks, and maintain composure.

With Inoue riding a nine-fight knockout streak, the odds are heavily in his favor. The fight is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 24. The undercard will start at 4:00 AM ET / 1:00 AM PT, and the main-event ring walks are expected around 6:00 AM ET / 3:00 AM PT. Fight fans can stream the event live on ESPN+ or DAZN.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for live coverage and play-by-play updates from the Naoya Inoue vs. Ye Joon Kim clash:

---

Round 1: