"Play this back if I’m wrong!” - Eddie Hearn goes in on Naoya Inoue for ducking WBA mandatory challenger twice and predicts he will vacate the belt

Naoya Inoue successfully defended his undisputed super bantamweight world titles against Ye Joon Kim on Jan. 24, extending his record to 29-0. He has now defended his 122-pound titles three times, but according to Eddie Hearn, the only super bantamweight title defense of actual importance for Inoue has yet to happen.

Hearn previously criticized 'The Monster' in 2024 for his decision to opt-out of facing his WBA mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev. Following Inoue's fourth-round knockout win over Kim, the Matchroom Boxing chairman was interviewed by Boxing Social, where he took aim at the Japanese superstar once again.

Hearn also predicted that instead of facing Akhmadaliev, Inoue would vacate the WBA belt. He said this:

"I'm glad someone's asked me about Inoue. How many times do I have to tell you Naoya Inoue is straight ducking MJ Akhmadaliev. He's been ordered to fight him twice, right? He's had two gimme-fights instead of fighting Akhmadaliev... On Monday, the WBA will write to Naoya Inoue and they will say, 'Enough is enough. You have to fight Akhmadaliev next or you will be stripped of your WBA world title. And you will no longer be undisputed.'"

Hearn continued:

"Watch this now, Inoue will vacate his WBA world title. No way, no way [will he fight Akhmadaliev]. Watch this now, you can play it back if I'm wrong! Inoue is a pound-for-pound great fighter, amazing. He has ducked Akhmadaliev twice after an order. Now he's getting ordered for a third time, and he will give up his right as undisputed champion rather than make a mandatory defense."

Check out Eddie Hearn's comments below (8:50):

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Take a look at Naoya Inoue's vicious KO win over Ye Joon Kim

Naoya Inoue and Ye Joon Kim went to war in a short-notice clash for his undisputed super bantamweight crown. Inoue was originally set to face Australian contender Sam Goodman on Dec. 24, 2024. However, Goodman suffered a cut above his eye that forced the bout to be rescheduled for Jan. 24, 2025.

But the title challenger re-opened the same cut while preparing for the new date and withdrew from the bout, as Kim replaced him.

After a calculated opening two rounds, 'The Monster' began searching for a kill shot as his opponent called him on, hoping to land a counter-punch that could change the course of the fight.

But in Round 4 Inoue found his opening, landing a crushing right-hand that finished the fight.

Check out Naoya Inoue's finish below: