NAOYA INOUE and Junto Nakatani delivered on the hype of the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history, with Inoue sealing victory in emphatic fashion.
The undisputed super-bantamweight king retained his titles after a 12-round vicious chess match against his native rival following a pulsating showdown in Tokyo.
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Naoya Inoue defeated Junto Nakatani via unanimous decision Credit: AFP
Naoya Inoue was defending his super bantamweight world titles Credit: AFP
The bout went 12 rounds in an entertaining showdown in Japan Credit: AP
Inoue and Nakatani had their contest at Tokyo Dome Credit: AFP
The judges scored the bout 116-112, 116-112, and 116-112 after 12 hard-fought rounds, moving Inoue to 33-0 with 27 stoppages, in his staggering 29th world title win.
Both Inoue and Nakatani entered the ring as members of boxing’s pound-for-pound elite, each looking to assert their dominance early in what has proven to be one of the best fights of the year.
It was a spectacle from the very beginning, from the grand ring walks to the final bell—inside an electric, 55,000-seater Tokyo Dome.
The opening rounds were close, with neither man truly dominating. Nakatani remained patient, looking to use his reach to snipe the Monster.
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However, it was the 33-year-old Inoue who showed more class in the tight early stages, measuring the distance with elite footwork and picking his shots by constantly changing the range.
By the fourth, both fighters began to let their hands go and pick up the pace after three rounds of feeling one another out.
Once again, Inoue produced the better work, changing levels and picking his shots with precision.
Nakatani fought back in the fifth, landing an eye-catching three-punch combination that could well have stolen the round.
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Junto Nakatani ring walk Credit: AFP
Naoya Inoue ring walk Credit: AFP
Naoya Inoue showed why his is one of the best boxers in the world Credit: AP
The bout was in front of 55,000 spectators Credit: AP
At the halfway mark, the contest remained close, though there was a sense that Inoue was banking more of the rounds. Round six acted as a foreshadowing for the second half of the fight.
It truly was a game of two halves – the first half displayed a tactical, long-range chess match, while the second transformed into a power-punching war.
In round seven, both fighters traded shots, but it was Inoue’s dangerous, speedy straight rights that did the damage, finding the target on Nakatani’s nose.
Nakatani was told by his corner that he needed to start letting his shots go again.
The three-division world champion took that advice and started the next round aggressively, however, Inoue’s powerful jab stalled Nakatani’s momentum and showcased his elite timing.
Nakatani ended the round with more aggression, perhaps doing enough to take another tight frame.
Nakatani’s best work came in the ninth, where he refused to let Inoue command the centre of the ring.
He came forward, landing powerful three and four-punch combinations across Inoue’s frame, punctuated by a beautiful, eye-catching uppercut to finish the round.
The Home of Boxing in 2026
There’s a massive year of boxing ahead!
It’s shaping up to be a blockbuster year of action inside the boxing ring.
Oleksandr Usyk takes on the king of kickboxing Rico Verhoeven and Fabio Wardley will defend his newly won heavyweight crown against fellow Brit Daniel Dubois.
Anthony Joshua returns to the ring in July to face Kristian Prenga ahead of a potential blockbuster bout against Tyson Fury later in the year.
Canelo Alvarez will be hoping to make a comeback after his defeat to Terence Crawford, while Dave Allen will also be looking to get back to winning ways against Filip Hrgovic.
A whole bunch of British stars could also take a leap into superstardom, with the likes of Moses Itauma, Hamzah Sheeraz and Adam Azim ready to join the very top of the sport.
Here’s all the big fights coming up…
May
Sat 2 – Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani – Undisputed super-bantamweight title – DAZN
Sat 2 – Zurdo Ramirez vs David Benavidez – WBA & WBO Cruiserweight titles – Prime Video
Sat 9 – Fabio Wardley vs Daniel Dubois – WBO title – DAZN PPV
Sat 16 – Dave Allen vs Filip Hrgovic – DAZN
Sat 23 – Oleksandr Usyk vs Rico Verhoeven – WBC title – DAZN
June
Sat 6 – Dalton Smith vs Alberto Puello – WBC super lightweight title – DAZN
Sat 13 – Tommy Fury vs Eddie Hall – DAZN
Sat 20 – Ryan Garner vs Michael Magnesi – DAZN
Sat 27 – Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – DAZN
July
Sat 25 – Anthony Joshua vs Kristian Prenga – DAZN
*If you click a link in this boxout, we will earn affiliate revenue.
Nakatani entered the 10th with a surge of confidence, and with nine minutes remaining, he continued to show his power-punching prowess.
However, a cut opened over his right eye following an accidental headbutt from Inoue, marking the first sign of blood in the bout.
Despite the injury, the 28-year-old Nakatani used his youth to maintain a high work rate.
Going into the championship rounds, Inoue appeared slightly ahead on the cards, but Nakatani held the momentum after his strongest rounds of the fight.
Knowing this, Inoue turned the tide. He began backing Nakatani up, bullying him and refusing to let him breathe. He did what great fighters do – change the momentum of a fight.
Round 11 was incredibly important for Inoue; he regained his footing after Nakatani’s surge and effectively stopped his rival’s momentum.
The 12th round was simply electric, with both men exchanging power shots, but overall, Inoue’s superior work solidified his performance.
The crowd inside the Tokyo arena erupted as the winner celebrated a statement victory on home soil.
The bout had been billed as a historic clash and it lived up to every expectation, with both men entering unbeaten at 32-0.
The victory now sets the stage for another potential pound-for-pound blockbuster, as Inoue looks toward a clash with another elite talent, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez, to continue his march toward greatness.
Fans will undoubtedly call for a rematch, as the bout was a phenomenal watch for boxing enthusiasts around the world.
With this victory, many will argue that Inoue should be crowned the pound-for-pound number one fighter, potentially taking over the top spot from Oleksandr Usyk.
