Dsalita Naoya Inoue is set to make his much-anticipated return in September against a tough opponent, as the WBA has mandated a showdown with former unified champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev by September 25th.
The deadline for the two fighters to reach an agreement and avoid a purse bid is July 14th. Many had expected Inoue to face IBF mandatory challenger Sam Goodman in his next bout, but Goodman opted for a different fight on July 10th, leaving Inoue without a dance partner for his upcoming fight.
Akhmadaliev, who was once considered one of the top super bantamweights before a surprising loss last year, returned to form with an impressive victory in his last fight. He poses a unique challenge for Inoue, who has yet to face someone of his caliber in the super bantamweight division.
The next 30 days will determine whether the fight between Inoue and Akhmadaliev can be finalized by their respective promoters. It promises to be an exciting matchup between two elite fighters in the division.
