NAGOYA, Japan – After our interview had concluded, former unified junior bantamweight titleholder Murodjon Akhmadaliev asked me a question via his translator: “Who are you picking to win this fight?”

In less than 72 hours, on Sunday in Japan, the classy Uzbekistan-born southpaw will be facing undisputed champion and red-hot favorite Naoya Inoue at IG Arena. The challenger was inches away from me in the lobby of his hotel, eyes wide, with a confident little smile across his lips. He knew my answer before it was given.

“I’m picking Inoue by TKO late in the fight, but I also think it can go the distance.”

Following the briefest of pauses, the fighter known as “MJ” nodded. “I’ll see you after the fight,” was the response before he patted me on the shoulder and left with a few members of his team. He wasn’t offended by the prediction. I’d simply been added to the long list of people who he was determined to prove wrong.

Akhmadaliev, who is rated No. 2 by The Ring at 122 pounds, is an elite operator who has earned the right to be confident. An Olympic bronze medalist at the Rio 2016 games, he was fast-tracked as a professional and claimed IBF and WBA titles at the expense of Daniel Roman in just his eighth outing.

Following three successful defenses, Akhmadaliev (14-1, 11 KOs) was on a collision course with the unbeaten Inoue when he was upset via split decision by Filipino lefty Marlon Tapalas in April 2023. Forced to regroup, the ex-champ has put together three stoppage wins since the setback and enters as the WBA’s No. 1 contender.

“I’ve improved in everything, not just in boxing, but in life,” Akhmadaliev told The Ring. “As a person, I’ve improved a lot, and you will see. I’ve been waiting for this fight for two years, and it finally happens this weekend. I’m happy because now is the right time to take this fight. I’m in peak shape, and I feel great.

“As a sportsman, I respect Inoue a lot, and his accomplishments are great … there’s no doubt about that. In boxing, he’s good, but I’m the better fighter. He has the speed, he has the power, but I’m better than him.”

This is the first time that Akhmadaliev has ever visited Japan. The 30-year-old technician has been wrapping up preparations here over the past three weeks, and all the hard work has been done. Up close, he appeared to be in excellent fighting shape: piping fit, eyes clear, skin perfect and not an ounce of spare fat on his frame.

The challenger has paid the price over the past three months, so when people write him off, it only serves as motivation.

“Everyone can have their own opinion,” Akhmadaliev said. “They can underestimate me and my punches, but I will show you when the fight happens. When Inoue gets hit by my punch, we’ll see how he takes it. I’m not disrespecting anyone, but I will show my power in this fight.

“In boxing, the most important thing is footwork. You just need to look at Muhammad Ali, who was great with footwork. Every boxer has to be good in this area.”

Like Inoue, Akhmadaliev has superb judgment of distance, so his feet are a huge asset in what is the biggest fight of his life. Positioning and timing will be key in this orthodox versus southpaw showdown, as both fighters will be looking to set traps.

However, Akhmadaliev also feels that his natural size advantage is an added factor against “The Monster.”

“He beat everyone in the lower divisions, and now, at 122, he’s beating guys in our division,” Akhmadaliev said. “But I’m a natural 122-pounder, and I will be a problem for anybody. This is my division.

“My body is my weapon. I am the weapon.”

Akhmadaliev could be on to something. While Inoue has faced natural junior bantamweights such as Stephen Fulton, Ye Joon Kim and Ramon Cardenas, this assignment is a little different. Akhmadaliev is a harder puncher than Fulton and much more experienced than Kim and Cardenas. And remember, Cardenas managed to knock Inoue off his feet before being stopped.

Regardless of opinions, Akhmadaliev is here to fight. Not once during our conversation was there even a hint of doubt that he could overcome one of the toughest obstacles in world boxing. He’s a real fighting man who is determined to fulfill a dream.

“I will be making history for Uzbek boxing,” Akhmadaliev said. “I will be the first undisputed world champion from Uzbekistan. With the help of God, I will be victorious on this day.

“I’ve been dreaming about this fight for years. When I was young, I dreamed about being the best in this sport. Everybody around me — my friends, my coaches, all my people, my nation, my president — they all await this victory.”