Murodjon Akhmadaliev: It’s ridiculous to hear Naoya Inoue’s excuses for avoiding me
Of course Murodjon “MJ” Akhmadaliev wants to be identified as a world champion again, but more than that, he longs for the opportunity to step in the ring against undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue.
In a Monday interview with BS discussing his current position as an ignored WBA mandatory challenger to Japan’s four-division champion Inoue 29-0 (26 KOs), Akhmadaliev, 30, delivered heartfelt responses over his push to land the bout.
Akhmadaliev promoter Eddie Hearn, of Matchroom, said over the weekend that he expects the WBA to enforce its position and strip Inoue of his 122lbs belt after he knocked out replacement opponent Ye Joon Kim on Friday in Tokyo and appears headed to a spring US return bout against his WBC No. 1 contender, Alan David Picasso, of Mexico.
“I’ve been vocal about it: There are rules in boxing, and I want to fight him,” Akhmadaliev said. “I’m the mandatory. I’m a former unified champion. I want to fight the best. The best is Inoue. I don’t want to just get the title.
“For some reason, the fight is not happening and they’ve kept me frozen for almost two years. If he doesn’t want to fight, what can I do? I cannot make him fight me. If people demand this fight, maybe it will change something. I want to fight him and prove – I know myself, my skills, my level – that I know I can beat him.”
Akhmadaliev, 13-1 (10 KOs), lost his chance to fight Inoue in 2023 when Akhmadaliev was upset by Marlon Tapales by the odd scores of 118-110, 113-115, 113-115, with Tapales proceeding to get knocked out by Inoue eight months later.
Two victories later, Akhmadaliev is the WBA mandatory and first in line among the other sanctioning body No. 1s, but Inoue has shunned him.
“I don’t know what’s going on, I really don’t,” Akhmadaliev said. “Someone clearly doesn’t want this fight to happen, whether it’s him, his team, his promoters. I don’t know who does that. Usually, fighters will fight anyone, but definitely, someone doesn’t want this to happen, because I’ve been waiting for a very long time. Somehow they find a way to avoid the fight.
“He’s giving opportunities to other guys. OK, I don’t mind that, but there is a line that does not exist for them.”
Perhaps Inoue and/or his handlers are moving patiently to take the lesser foe in Picasso in the US before moving to a planned bout in Saudi Arabia later this year.
Asked if he was OK with that scenario or trusted it will happen, Akhmadaliev said, “I’m at the point, I don’t trust anyone. The great champions have always defended their belts. That’s the rules. I honored three mandatories in 18 months. It’s ridiculous to hear [Inoue’s excuses]. I’m ready to fight him anytime, anywhere. I’m ready to go to Las Vegas, Japan, Saudi Arabia. I’m ready to go anywhere to get my opportunity against the best fighter in the world.”
As Inoue moves to Picasso, Akhmadaliev, coming off a third-round TKO of Ricardo Espinoza Franco in December, said he would huddle with his team to determine his own next fight.
“I want to get in the ring,” Akhmadaliev said.
He insists he brings the skill set to defeat Inoue, known as “The Monster.”
“Inoue is a great fighter. I’ve never doubted his skills, his power, how fast and smart he is,” Akhmadaliev said. “But I’m not a pushover, either.
“Has he ever faced a 122lbs? I don’t think so. He’s fought all these guys moving up from 108, 112, 115, whatever. I’m a 122lbs. I am stronger than anyone he’s faced. I’m physically in my prime right now. I have a great chin. I have speed. There are layers to my skills. If I get an opportunity and this fight ever gets made, I’ll do my best to show the world how good I am.”
