Japanese star Naoya Inoue will face Paul Butler for the undisputed bantamweight championship Tuesday in Tokyo. Also, lightweight contenders Michel Rivera and Frank Martin will square off Saturday in Las Vegas.
NAOYA INOUE (23-0, 20 KOs) vs. PAUL BUTLER (34-2, 15 KOs)
When: Tuesday, Dec. 13
Time: 2 a.m. ET (main event later in show)
Where: Ariake Arena, Tokyo
TV/Stream: ESPN+
Division: Bantamweight (118 pounds)
At stake: Inoue’s undisputed championship
Pound-for-pound ranking: Inoue No. 2
Odds: Inoue 70-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Yoshiki Takei vs. Bruno Tarimo, junior featherweights; Andy Hiraoka vs. Min Ho Jung, junior welterweights; Takuma Inoue vs. Jade Bornea, featherweights; Satoshi Shimizu vs. Landy Cris Leon, featherweights
Prediction: Inoue KO 6
Background: The only thing Inoue hasn’t accomplished? Being an undisputed champion. The knockout artist from Japan will have the opportunity to become one in the early morning hours Tuesday (in the U.S.), when he’ll face fellow titleholder Paul Butler in Tokyo. Inoue has been as dominating as any active fighter, blowing through elite opposition to win titles in three divisions and earn pound-for-pound recognition. He’s 18-0 (16 KOs) in world title fights and 9-0 (7 KOs) against current or former world titleholders. He’s 8-0 (7 KOs) as a 118-pounder. The only bantamweight to take him the distance during that stretch was Nonito Donaire in 2019, when Inoue fought with a facial fracture. He stopped Donaire in two rounds in the rematch this past June. Butler is a two-time 118-pound beltholder. He won the IBF version when he outpointed Stuart Hall in 2014 but gave it up and moved down to 115 later that year. He regained the same title when he defeated Jonas Sultan by a unanimous decision to win the sanctioning body’s “interim” title this past April and was soon elevated to full champion. The 34-year-old has won eight consecutive fights since he failed to make weight against then-titleholder Emanuel Rodriguez and then lost a wide decision in 2018.
MICHEL RIVERA (24-0, 14 KOs) vs. FRANK MARTIN (16-0, 12 KOs)
When: Saturday, Dec. 17
Time: 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
Where: Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas
TV/Stream: Showtime
Division: Lightweight (135 pounds)
At stake: No major titles
Pound-for-pound ranking: None
Odds: Even (average of multiple outlets)
Also on the card: Jose Uzcategui vs. Vladimir Shishkin, super middleweights; Nikolai Potapov vs. Vincent Astrolabio, bantamweights; Omar Jaurez vs. Austin Dulay, junior welterweights
Prediction: Rivera SD
Background: This is an unusual matchup of two gifted, undefeated young contenders. Rivera, 24, has been untouchable in his young professional career, which started in 2016. The Miami-based Dominican has demonstrating that he can outclass you with his skills or take you out with his power even as opposition has improved, although his last three opponents have taken him the distance. Rivera is coming off a one-sided eight-round decision over Jerry Perez in October. Martin is surrounded by good role models: He trains alongside Errol Spence Jr. and Jermell Charlo under mentor Derrick James. He, too, appears to be a complete fighter. He’s quick, skillful and powerful. The 27-year-old Indianapolis resident also hasn’t been seriously pushed since turning pro in 2017. He’s coming off a last-round knockout of capable Jackson Marinez this past July. The fight on Saturday is being billed as a WBA title eliminator. Rivera is ranked No. 2 by the sanctioning body, Martin No. 10. Rivera has expressed a desire to fight secondary beltholder Gervonta Davis. Devin Haney is the undisputed 135-pound champion.
ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK
FRIDAY
Arslanbek Makhmudov vs. Michael Wallisch, heavyweights, Shawinigan, Quebec (ESPN+)
SATURDAY
Christian Mbili vs. Vaughn Alexander, super middleweights, Nantes, France (ESPN+)
Quilisto Madera vs. Hector Zepeda, middleweights, Stockton, California (FightHype)
Raul Curiel vs. Brad Solomon, welterweights, Commerce, California (DAZN)
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