Inoue vs Akhmadaliev Prediction, Odds & Tale of the Tape (Sep. 14)

• Naoya Inoue is a -1000 favorite to beat Murodjon Akhmadaliev in Nagoya on Sunday
• The Japanese champion has been knocked down twice in his last four fights
• See below for my Inoue vs Akhmadaliev prediction, updated odds and tale of the tape for this fight

One of boxing’s pound-for-pound kings returns to action Sunday morning as Naoya Inoue (30-0) defends his undisputed super bantamweight crown against former unified champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev (14-1) at the IG Arena in Nagoya.

The Uzbek southpaw has been calling for this fight for years, and online sportsbooks aren’t giving him much of a chance. They’ve installed Inoue as a massive -1000 favorite, but I predict Akhmadaliev’s angles and timing will make this more competitive than the odds suggest before the champion’s power takes over.

The fight takes place Sunday at 4:00 AM ET, with the main event expected around 6:40 AM. Broadcasting details haven’t been announced yet.

Inoue vs Akhmadaliev Prediction

• Naoya Inoue to win by KO/TKO in Rounds 7-9 (+900 at DraftKings)

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Akhmadaliev brings something Inoue hasn’t seen much of lately – a southpaw stance combined with legitimate power and world-class experience. The 30-year-old held the WBA and IBF titles before losing them to Marlon Tapales via split decision in 2023. Since then, he’s knocked out three straight opponents to earn this shot.

What makes this interesting is that Inoue has recently shown vulnerability. Luis Nery dropped him with a left hook in the first round last May. Ramon Cardenas did the same thing in round two of their fight. oth times, Inoue got up and finished the job, but there’s a clear pattern: when he throws his left hook, he drops his right hand and gets caught by counters.

Akhmadaliev’s southpaw stance positions him perfectly to exploit this flaw. His trainer Joel Diaz helped Cardenas knock down Inoue, so they know the blueprint. The Uzbek also brings an Olympic bronze medal and serious knockout power with 11 stoppages in 14 wins.

But Inoue always finds a way to adapt. After those early scares against Nery and Cardenas, he systematically broke them down. Nery went out in six. Cardenas lasted eight. Neither was competitive after the knockdown.

Inoue’s body attack is what separates him from everyone else at 122 pounds. Once he starts landing those left uppercuts to the solar plexus, opponents wilt. Akhmadaliev has never faced that kind of sustained pressure or precision. His only loss came against Tapales, whom Inoue demolished in 10 rounds.

I expect Akhmadaliev to have success early, maybe even win the first few rounds. But once Inoue downloads the data and makes his adjustments, the end will come. Five of Inoue’s last seven knockouts happened between rounds 7-9. That’s where I’m predicting this one ends too.

Updated Inoue vs Akhmadaliev Odds

Odds at DraftKings. Get the best boxing betting apps to use on the Inoue vs Akhmadaliev fight.

The odds vary significantly across sportsbooks, so shop around for better value. Inoue is currently -1000 at DraftKings, meaning you’d need to bet $1000 to win $100. Akhmadaliev comes back at +600, offering a $600 return on a $100 bet.

The stoppage odds tell the real story. Inoue is -260 to win by knockout, reflecting his 90% KO rate and 11-fight stoppage streak. Akhmadaliev is +1100 to score the upset by knockout, while a decision victory pays +1400. The fight going the distance sits at +100, suggesting the books expect another Inoue stoppage.

Inoue vs Akhmadaliev Tale of the Tape

This matchup features two fighters at the peak of their powers. Inoue brings experience from 26 world title fights, while Akhmadaliev has competed in five championship bouts.

Naoya Inoue vs Murodjon Akhmadaliev

Physically, they’re nearly identical. Akhmadaliev has slight advantages in height and reach, but nothing significant. The key difference is stance – Akhmadaliev’s southpaw style creates different angles and could disrupt Inoue’s rhythm early.

What jumps out is Inoue’s experience edge. He’s had 30 fights to Akhmadaliev’s 15, with 26 of those being world title fights. That championship experience matters when the pressure mounts.

The knockout percentages are telling too. Inoue’s 90% stoppage rate is extraordinary for any weight class. Akhmadaliev’s 79% is impressive but reflects a lower level of opposition. Against world-class fighters, he’s 2-1 with stoppages.

Sunday’s winner likely faces David Picasso next, with a mega-fight against Junto Nakatani looming in 2026. For Akhmadaliev, this is his shot at glory. For Inoue, it’s another day at the office – though potentially his toughest day yet at super bantamweight.