It seemed as though Murodjon Akhmadaliev once lost his golden ticket.

Marlon Tapales cashed in on his upset win over Akhmadaliev and took on Naoya Inoue in 2023. The Uzbekh fighter watched apoplectically as the Japanese star went on to stop him and become an undisputed junior featherweight champion.

Quietly, Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KOs) continued to call out Inoue, but he knew that wasn’t enough. So, instead of moping, he put in the work, winning three straight via stoppage. That seems to be enough to lure Inoue back in.

Nothing has been officially announced, but Inoue and promoter Eddie Hearn have revealed on numerous occasions that it will take place next.

Akhmadaliev’s performance was one of the determining factors, but Hearn deserves high praise. For years on end, he poked Inoue, berated and kept pushing his buttons. Thanks to all of his sly punchlines, Akhmadaliev seemingly will have the fight he wants.

“Inoue against MJ is one of the best fights in boxing,” Hearn told reporters. “I have to respect Inoue for taking it because the people around him didn’t want to take that fight. I feel like I goaded them enough to take it. I’m very pleased they took it.”

Inoue, of course, deserves to be the favorite. He’s a pound-for-pound star, ranked No. 2 on The Ring’s list. He’s also been a flat-out monster. Ironically enough, that’s also his nickname.

After picking apart Ramon Cardenas in his latest appearance, he mentioned several opponents as future possibilities. Those plans, however, won’t mean a thing if he doesn’t get past Akhmadaliev. And, according to Hearn, he isn’t sure he will.

“I see it as a 50/50 fight,” Hearn said. “The two best fighters in the division, the best fight in the division. We’re looking forward to going to Japan in September for that fight.”