On May 2, 2026, Naoya Inoue triumphed over Junto Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome, securing a unanimous decision victory and retaining his undisputed super-bantamweight title. The fight captivated a sellout crowd of 55,000 boxing fans.
This match was highly anticipated as both fighters entered the ring with undefeated records, Nakatani at 32-0 and Inoue at 32-0. The bout showcased the tension and skill expected from two top-ranked athletes.
Nakatani applied pressure in the middle rounds, challenging Inoue’s dominance. A clash of heads in Round 10 resulted in a cut over Nakatani’s left eye, which complicated his performance. However, Inoue regained control in the final two rounds, showcasing his experience and resilience.
Key statistics from the fight:
- The scorecards read 116-112, 115-113, and 116-112 in favor of Inoue.
- This victory improved Inoue’s record to 33-0, while Nakatani’s record now stands at 32-1.
- Inoue recorded his 27th KO, while Nakatani has 24 KOs in his career.
Nakatanis’ strong performance did not go unnoticed. “This victory is very valuable for me because Junto Nakatani is also a pound-for-pound top-ranking athlete,” said Inoue after the match. His respect for Nakatani reflects the high stakes of their encounter.
The fight lasted all twelve rounds, marking another chapter in boxing history at one of Japan’s most iconic venues. Yet, despite this significant win for Inoue, questions linger about future matchups and potential challengers as boxing continues to evolve.
