Naoya Inoue vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev press conference quotes and fight prediction

Naoya Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs) will soon put his undisputed super bantamweight world championship on the line against Murodjon Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KOs).

Their bout headlines an Ohashi Promotions card at the IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan. Fight fans in the country can catch the action live on Lemino. Those in Latin America can do so with ESPN KnockOut. The Top Rank Facebook page will have the broadcast for those in the United States and the United Kingdom.

Both men spoke at a press conference ahead of their September 14 clash. Below is some of what they had to say.

Naoya Inoue vs. Murodjon Akhmadaliev press conference quotes

Naoya Inoue

Note: The press conference did not have any English translation for what Inoue said in Japanese and Akhmadaliev said in Russian. As such, Big Fight Weekend is relying on limited quotes courtesy of Agence France-Press.

“I’m looking forward to that fight [between Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Terence “Bud” Crawford] but the fight I’m looking forward to more is Naoya Inoue vs. Akhmadaliev, and I’d like to concentrate on that,” said Inoue.

“I’d like to give a performance worthy of a pound-for-pound champion.”

“I asked myself over and over why I had been knocked down twice [once against Luis Nery and once against Ramon Cardenas] and I know the answer.”

“It’s precisely because I had that experience that I can turn it to my advantage in this fight.”

Murodjon Akhmadaliev

“I came to win the belt and make history,” said Akhmadaliev. “I want to become world number one.”

Fight prediction

Inoue has established himself as one of the best boxers in the world. Few possess his power and skillset. Akhmadaliev is a formidable opponent with the ability to break down boxers before getting the stoppage. He is definitely Inoue’s best opponent since Marlon Tapales and Stephen Fulton. That being said, Akhmadaliev will have to be at his very best to even have a shot at victory. He certainly has the ability to take this the distance, but Inoue is simply the better of the two. Expect the undisputed champion to retain his titles via unanimous decision.

Full press conference

For the press conference in its entirety, click here or the play button below. Video courtesy of Top Rank.