Bob Arum Reveals Latest on Naoya Inoue vs. Sam Goodman for Dec. 24
As we move towards the end of the year, it has certainly been a memorable 12 months for boxing with great fights including Oleksandr Usyk vs. Tyson Fury for the undisputed heavyweight title and Dmitry Bivol vs. Artur Beterbiev for the undisputed light heavyweight crown. One of the most talked about boxers in recent times is the undisputed super bantamweight king, Naoya Inoue, and Top Rank CEO Bob Arum recently sat down with Dan Rafael for a special Fight Freaks Unite/Big Fight Weekend podcast where he revealed the latest on what’s next for the “Monster.”
Naoya Inoue Next: Bob Arum Talks Sam Goodman Fight
Plans for Naoya Inoue
With the recent news that the IBF have scheduled purse bids for October 29 for Inoue vs. Goodman, Rafael asked Arum for the latest on this potential fight: “Someone at the IBF jumped the gun and sent out that letter. The negotiations between the Inoue camp and the Goodman camp have been going swimmingly, and we are just about ready to conclude those negotiations – and I’m very optimistic that fight will be held on December 24 on Christmas Eve in Japan, in Tokyo,” said Arum.
He revealed: “If Inoue is successful, we really hope to bring him to the United States for a major fight in Las Vegas. I know Todd DuBoef the president of Top Rank has had big discussions with Bill Hornbuckle, the chairman of the MGM as far as holding that fight out in April.”
To hear the Bob Arum interview in full with Dan Rafael, click the play button below.
Akhmadaliev Objection
Arum was then asked about the objection from team Akhmadaliev regarding the purse bids for Inoue-Goodman: “That’s typical nonsensical behaviour, which happens very often in boxing. If I were Vadim (Kornilov) who’s the manager of Akhmadaliev, I would not pursue that course, but I would be looking to start negotiations for an April fight with Inoue without litigation, without nonsense.”
Inoue vs. Goodman is undoubtedly one of the best fights at the weight. It’s promising to hear Arum’s confidence regarding making the fight.
Freelance Writer and Digital Marketer, spending most of his time waiting for Tyson Fury vs Oleksandr Usyk II. Also watches YouTube videos of Lennox Lewis fights on a daily basis.
