Top Rank Ensures Broadcast of Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev Title Fight
In a significant last-minute maneuver, Top Rank has ensured that boxing fans in the United States and the United Kingdom will not miss Naoya Inoue’s highly anticipated title defense against Murodjon Akhmadaliev this weekend. Following the conclusion of their longstanding relationship with ESPN, the fight faced a potential broadcast blackout, leaving fans in a state of uncertainty about witnessing one of 2025’s most crucial matchups. Top Rank announced that the entire fight card would be streamed live and free on their official Facebook page, making it accessible to audiences worldwide and shining a spotlight on Japan’s exceptional pound-for-pound fighter.
Event Details
Scheduled for Sunday, September 14, the event will take place at the IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan, with the livestream commencing at 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT / 9 a.m. BST. Fans can expect the main event ring walks to begin around 6:40 a.m. ET / 3:40 a.m. PT / 11:40 a.m. BST. Inoue, nicknamed ‘The Monster’, will enter the ring for the fifth time as he defends his undisputed super-bantamweight title, a championship he unified back in December 2023.
Fighter Profiles
Boasting an undefeated record of 30 victories, including 27 by knockout, Inoue returns home after a commanding eighth-round victory over Ramon Cardenas in Las Vegas. This bout marks his 26th consecutive appearance for a world title—an achievement not seen in recent boxing history.
His opponent, Akhmadaliev, a left-handed fighter from Uzbekistan, is a former unified champion of the WBA and IBF and currently holds the WBA interim championship. Although he suffered a split-decision defeat to Marlon Tapales previously, Akhmadaliev has since rebounded impressively with three knockout victories, reaffirming his elite status within the 122-pound division.
Undercard Highlights
In addition to the main event, the card will feature Yoshiki Takei (11-0, 9 KOs) defending his WBO bantamweight title against Mexico’s Christian “Chispa” Medina (25-4, 18 KOs), as well as a contest for the vacant WBA ‘regular’ minimumweight title between veteran Yuni Takada (16-8-3, 6 KOs) and rising star Ryusei Matsumoto (6-0, 4 KOs).
Impact of Top Rank’s Decision
Had Top Rank not intervened, this remarkable event risked entering a broadcasting void, hindering the careers of athletes like Inoue, who are eager to secure their legacies and plan future showdowns. A victory for Inoue could potentially pave the way for a marquee matchup against Alan David Picasso in Riyadh this December, followed by a highly anticipated bout with fellow Japanese fighter Junto Nakatani in 2026.
Thanks to Top Rank’s strategic decision, boxing fans worldwide will now get the chance to witness what could be a defining moment in Inoue’s illustrious career against Akhmadaliev. What was once on the brink of being lost has transformed into an opportunity for a free showcase of talent in the ring, reinforcing Inoue’s status as one of the sport’s most formidable champions.
