Can Naoya Inoue Retain His Welterweight Domination?

Undefeated Japanese Naoya Inoue, 31, will face Britain’s Sam Goodman on January 24 at the Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku, in Tokyo, Japan. In a fight that looks like a formality for Inoue, and he should win easily. Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is not a threat to Monster, and we think this should be his last fight in the Super Bantamweight division.

If Inoue decides to move up to featherweight, we have several fighters out there ready to meet him at this weight class in a title fight. However, his team’s plans could take him to a preliminary fight first before facing one of the reigning featherweight champions.

Rafael “El Divino” Espinoza and Angelo Leo are logical candidates. Brandon Figueroa and Stephen Fulton fought each other in February, and the winner could get his name on the list. If Naoya wants to fight for the title right away. Fulton was knocked out by Inoue in 2023 in 8 rounds at super-bantamweight.

Another man in this weight class who could make an appearance is Robeisi Ramirez. The Cuban lost to Espinosa in a controversial fight, and little is known about his health situation after the defeat to El Divino. However, his status in this weight class leaves room for Inoue to measure up if he has already recovered his health.

Nick Ball will face TJ Doheny on March 15, which closes the possibility of both facing Naoya soon. Ray Vargas hasn’t won since 2022 and O’Sheakey Foster still hasn’t beaten Robinson Conseicao; will most likely have a third fight after winning both fights by split decision.

While Naoya’s light heavyweight prospects aren’t great, boxing fans are still interested in seeing him top at 126lb. To continue with the 122 would waste time and money on a Japanese monster. His superiority over the super bantamweight division is wide, and we don’t see anyone being able to stop him or give him a tough fight.

We believe that in 2025, Naoja should step forward and move up to featherweight. Most fans want to measure his capacity against 126 pounds. If his team in Japan decides to allow him to move up in weight, the opponent’s name must matter.

Naoya Inoue’s position on the LkL list means his featherweight rival has to be a real contender. Due to their physical advantages in height and reach, Ray Vargas and Rafael Espinoza look like very strong rivals. We don’t know if the Mexicans will be able to continue at featherweight much longer; it’s possible they both have to go super featherweight, which opens up a more even compass for Inoue at this weight.

After looking at all the possibilities, among the top contenders in the featherweight division, although it seems unlikely, we are inclined to believe that Cuban Robizy Ramirez could be the chosen one. The reason is that the Cuban still holds his name at the top of this weight class, and Inoue’s physical handicaps would not be as great.

Regardless of who Naoya Inoue and his team choose to jump from 126 pounds, the fact is that fans want to see him face the best in the division. Naoya, to some, looks unbeatable not only at 126lbs, but even sees him in the future, closing out his career and dominating the super featherweight division, which seems unlikely.

For now, we’ll be content to see him move up in weight and compete against the best featherweights available in 2025. There are names that can surprise Inoue at this weight, and we’re eager to see if he can maintain his power and dominance in this weight.