Despite facing a new opponent on less than two weeks’ notice, undisputed junior featherweight Noah Inoue’s legendary power remained on full display Friday morning.
Inoue (29-0, 2 26 KOs), a four-division champion and Japanese superstar widely considered among the best pound-for-pound boxers in the sport, took time in the opening round to feel out June Kim (21-3-2, 13 KOs) in Tokyo. Before delivering the boom with a fourth-round knockout inside Ariak’s arena.
Kim, a 32-year-old resident of South Korea, filled in at late notice to replace Australia’s Sam Goodman, a mandatory challenger who has been pulled out of scheduled fights twice over the past two months due to fights against Inoue.
“My opponent has been injured twice and my new opponent stood up to me 10 days before the fight,” Inoue said. “Kim, thank you so much for the competitive fight tonight.”
The 31-year-old Inoue taunted and taunted Kim early on as he sought to slowly corner his opponent. But Kim, who fought as a full southpaw, confused Inwy for stretches with his patience and defense. In Round 3, despite some visible swelling under his left eye, Kim scored regularly to the body and briefly made Inoue pay for his aggression with his left hand.
The momentum was back in Inoue’s favor for good in round 4 as he opened the round with heavy pressure to bring down Kim’s high guard and force him to exchange. After Ino landed flush with a looping left hand, Kim coaxed her opponent to come forward.
Unfortunately for Kim, Ino forced his move and immediately proceeded with a two-punch combination, finishing with a brutal straight right hand that knocked Kim to the canvas. Referee Mark Nelson began his count before calling the bout at 2:25 as Kim struggled to reach his feet.
“Overall, I think it was a good punch but I didn’t have enough time to study my opponent,” Inoue said. “I took some time to see what was coming from him. All I can do is get better in the ring so I’m taking my career to the end.”
After the fight, Inoue and co-promoter Bob Arum made a spring return to the top ranks with Inoue expected to return to Las Vegas for the first time in 2020 and 2021 after back-to-back knockouts of Jason Moloney and Michael Dasmarinas.
“I’m sure 2025 is going to be a big year for me,” Inoue said. “This will be the year for me to go overseas for a big fight.”
The win was the fourth defense of his 122-pound crown since debuting in the division in 2023 when he knocked off undefeated, unified champion Stephen Fulton Jr.
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