Korean challenger Ye Joon Kim is a huge underdog as he steps in as a late replacement to take on the pound-for-pound phenomenon Naoya Inoue.

The bout will mark the third undisputed title defense for Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs). In May 2024, the 31-year-old knocked out Luis Nery with 50,000-plus in attendance at a sold-out Tokyo Dome. Inoue then retained his four 122-pound belts in September with a seventh-round TKO of TJ Doheny.

The new year has a growing number of events set for the first few months. Many of the sport's biggest names already have fights on the 2025 calendar, including several members of the pound-for-pound elite.

Naoya Inoue is arguably the best boxer in the world. No matter when he fights, boxing fans should be interested. Here's how you can watch The Monster's next fight.

With a professional record of 21-2-2 (13 knockouts), and a current win streak of two bouts, Kim faces a stern test against the Inoue (28-0, 25 KOs). However, the 32-year-old Korean has nothing to lose as he tries to take all of the “Monster”’s belts in Tokyo,