Eddie Hearn is annoyed about WBA super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue swerving mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev to easier fights against weak opposition that is no threat to beating him.
Hearn says the World Boxing Association will be writing to Inoue (29-9, 26 KOs) on Monday to tell him he must defend against Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 KOs) next, or he’ll be stripped of his WBA 122-lb belt.
However, Hearn predicts that Inoue, 31, will vacate his WBA title and face his WBC #1 contender, Alan David Picasso, next. Those two are expected to fight in the U.S. next in Las Vegas. Picasso (31-0-1, 17 KOs) isn’t well known to the U.S. boxing public, but he’s got fans from his native Mexico who will be excited at seeing him fight the ‘Monster’ Inoue.
Vacancy Predicted
“Naoya Inoue is straight ducking Murodjon Akhmadaliev. He’s been ordered to fight him twice. He’s had two gimme fights [Ye Joon Kim and TJ Doheny] instead of fighting Akhmadaliev,” said Eddie Hearn to talkSport Boxing about Naoya Inoue.
“On Monday, the WBA will write to Naoya Inoue and say, ‘Enoughs enough. You have to fight Akhmadaliev or you’ll be stripped of your WBA title and you will no longer be undisputed.’ Watch this now. Naoya Inoue will Vacate his WBA world title,” said Hearn.
“Who is Akhmadaliev” said Gareth A. Davies.
Hearn might as well start preparing for the WBA belt to be stripped from Inoue because he’s unlikely to fight Akhmadaliev. He’s too dangerous. It’ll be interesting to see if the WBA chooses to strip Naoya because he’s a popular fighter, making their organization look good to hold their belt. Replacing him with the less well-known Akhmadaliev is less prestigious for the WBA.
Like Canelo Alvarez, Inoue stopped taking risky fights years ago and is just playing it safe now. Fighting lesser opposition can’t hurt him as Nonito Donaire did in their first fight. Inoue broke his nose and fractured his right orbital bone. Inoue dishes out punishment well, but he doesn’t take shots very well.
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