Naoya Inoue defeated fellow Japanese boxer Junto Nakatani on May 2, 2026, at Tokyo Dome, securing a unanimous decision and retaining his undisputed super bantamweight title.
Inoue's victory was marked by scorecards reading 116-112, 115-113, and 116-112 from the judges, in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 55,000 fans.
A Tactical Bout
The match began cautiously, resembling a tactical chess game. Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) utilized his jab and powerful right hand to establish an early lead.
Despite his slow start, Nakatani (32-1, 24 KOs) began to find his rhythm, landing effective punches in the middle rounds.
Turning Point
Nakatani's best moment came in the tenth round when he connected with a strong right hook, pushing Inoue back momentarily.
However, a clash of heads resulted in a cut over Nakatani's left eye, impacting his performance for the remainder of the fight.
With his opponent's vision compromised, Inoue capitalized on the situation, closing the bout with a series of sharp combinations.
Future Prospects
This victory not only cements Inoue's status in the super bantamweight division but also opens the door for a potential move to featherweight.