Will Naoya Inoue be able to maintain dominance at featherweight?

The undefeated Japanese Naoya Inoue, at 31 years old, will face the British Sam Goodman on January 24 at the Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku, in Tokyo, Japan. In a fight that seems like a formality for Inoue and he should win easily. Goodman (19-0, 8 KOs) is no threat to the Monster and we believe it should be his last fight at super bantamweight.

If Inoue decides to move up to featherweight, we have several fighters there who are ready to welcome him to this weight class in a title fight. However, his team’s plans could first take him to a warm-up fight before facing one of the current 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 a 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 emerge is Robeisy Ramirez. The Cuban lost to Espinoza in a controversial fight, and little is known about his medical situation after his loss to El Divino. However, his status in this weight class opens up room to measure Inoue if he has already regained his health.

Nick Ball will face TJ Doheny on March 15, which closes the possibility of both against Naoya soon. Rey Vargas has not won since 2022, and O’Shaquie Foster has yet to beat Robinson Conceicao; they will most likely have a third fight after their split decision victories in both fights.

Although Naoya’s prospects at featherweight are not bright, boxing fans are still interested in seeing him against the best at 126 pounds. Continuing at 122 would be a waste of time and money for the Japanese monster. His superiority over the super bantamweight is vast, and we do not see anyone capable of stopping him or giving him a tough fight.

We believe that in 2025, Naoya should take a step forward and move up to featherweight. Most fans want to measure their ability against 126 pounds. If his team in Japan decides to allow him to move up in weight, the opponent’s name has to be important.

Naoya Inoue’s position on the LxL lists means his featherweight rival should be a real contender. Due to their physical advantages in height and reach, Rey Vargas and Rafael Espinoza seem like very strong rivals. We don’t know if the Mexicans will be able to continue at featherweight for long; Both may have to go to super featherweights, which opens up a more even compass for Inoue at this weight.

After considering all the possibilities, among the best featherweight contenders, although it seems unlikely, we are inclined to believe that the Cuban Robeisy Ramírez could be the chosen one. The reason is that the Cuban still maintains his name at the top of this weight, and Inoue’s physical disadvantages would not be so overwhelming.

Regardless of who Naoya Inoue and his team choose to make the jump to 126 pounds, it is a fact that fans want to see him face the best in that weight class. Naoya, for some, looks invincible not only at 126 pounds but even sees it in the future, closing his career and dominating at super featherweight, which seems unlikely.

For now, we’ll settle for watching him make weight and square off against the best featherweight available during 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 at this weight.