Inoue vs Nakatani LIVE!
Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani kicked off a bumper weekend of boxing in Tokyo on Saturday. A sold-out 55,000-capacity crowd at the Tokyo Dome watched arguably the biggest bout in Japanese history that saw two undefeated 32-0 superstars go head to head for the undisputed super-bantamweight world championship. It was one of the most hotly anticipated showdowns of the year and came before David Benavidez rises to challenge for Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez’s cruiserweight titles in Las Vegas, with Conah Walker and Sam Eggington also in action in the UK.
But the headline attraction was in East Asia, where Inoue successfully defended his four belts in the 122-pound division for the seventh time in a thrilling super fight. ‘The Monster’, one of the sport’s modern pound-for-pound greats and most formidable knockout kings, added another exceptional chapter to his remarkable legacy on home soil, handing a first professional loss to three-weight world champion Nakatani, who started too slowly and then saw his rousing comeback attempts halted by a nasty cut.
Naoya’s younger brother Takuma Inoue successfully defended his WBC bantamweight title for the first time with a dominant victory against Kazuto Ioka to begin the main card, while Yoshiki Takei beat DeKang Wang after Jin Sasaki defeated Sora Tanaka. Follow Inoue vs Nakatani reaction live below!
Inoue vs Nakatani results
- Naoya Inoue beats Junto Nakatani to stay undisputed
- Yoshiki Takei unconvincing in win over DeKang Wang
- Dominant Takuma Inoue retains WBC bantamweight title
- Jin Sasaki defeats Sora Tanaka in welterweight thriller
Naoya Inoue vs Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez?
15:24 , George FloodA typically respectful and understated post-fight interview from Inoue, who thanks his fans and then appears to suggest that he will now be having a bit of a rest, having fought four times last year.
He doesn’t call anyone out for his next move.
It will be intriguing to see where he goes after this, with talk of a huge showdown with another pound-for-pound great in Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez somewhere down the line.
But Bam would have to move up again quickly to super-bantamweight, unless Inoue came back down from 122 pounds.
Bam is a two-weight world champion who will hope to make it three on his bantamweight debut against WBA champion Antonio Vargas in Arizona next month.
Another remarkable chapter in Inoue’s illustrious career as he stays unbeaten and undisputed and moves to 33-0 with a 29th consecutive world title fight victory.
If it wasn’t for Oleksandr Usyk, he would be the No1 pound-for-pound fighter on the planet, without question.
Two-weight undisputed, four-weight world champion. One of the all-time greats, no doubt.
It’s a first professional loss for Nakatani, who drops to 32-1 and doesn’t manage to become a four-weight world champion in his own right.
A great effort from Nakatani, but that nasty cut rather derailed his strong comeback attempts after too tame a start that ultimately cost him.
Could we see that again, perhaps?
Naoya Inoue beats Junto Nakatani by unanimous decision
14:47 , George FloodMichael Buffer has the official scorecards...
116-112, 115-113, 116-112.
By four rounds, by two, by four - all in favour of Inoue, who is still the undisputed super-bantamweight champion of the world.
The right result.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 12
14:45 , George FloodA pulsating final round as both men put on a show for this sold-out, 55,000-strong crowd.
Nakatani tries to finish strong, but that cut has definitely impacted him and Inoue knows exactly what he has to do to finish smartly and effectively.
A hell of an effort from Nakatani, but Inoue has surely won this on the cards and retained his undisputed super-bantamweight titles for the seventh time.
We await the official judges’ scorecards...
An electric 11th round from Inoue summed up by the stats...
Naoya Inoue threw a fight-high 53 power punches and landed fight high 21 on Junto Nakatani in the round 11, according to CompuBox. pic.twitter.com/aWiY6Samw5
— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) May 2, 2026
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 12
14:41 , George FloodBoth men are throwing caution to the wind and swinging away as we enter the final three minutes in Tokyo.
Is there last-gasp drama to come?
I think Inoue has done enough at the moment...
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 11
14:40 , George FloodInoue needs a response here after a strong few rounds from Nakatani.
And he delivers it, significantly raising his aggression levels at a crucial time and letting the big shots fly in bunches.
The blood looks to be flowing directly into the eye of Nakatani from that nasty cut.
A massive, massive round from Inoue, who dominates and has the crowd on their feet with some trademark combinations from all angles.
Vintage Monster.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 10
14:36 , George FloodInto the championship rounds and Nakatani is coming on really strong now, showing far greater confidence and ambition as he drills into Inoue with some powerful shots.
He is charging around the ring after Inoue, who is in defensive mode and covers up against the ropes before Nakatani is cut above his right eye by an accidental clash of heads.
It’s a nasty one and there is blood pouring out as the fight is temporarily halted.
The boxers retreat to neutral corners and the ringside doctor is called to assess the wound, which looks deep.
We’re quickly back underway and Nakatani continues to pile on the pressure despite that cut, smashing Inoue to the body and continuing to let his hands go.
Another clear round for Nakatani! How close is he with two rounds left?
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 9
14:32 , George FloodInoue looks to keep the energy up at the start of the ninth, but then gets caught with Nakatani’s best combination of the fight so far.
The tempo has picked up a lot now from both men.
Inoue is an absolute marvel with how he is able to get his shots off from seemingly any angle.
Some superb work from Nakatani though on the inside and he finishes the round brilliantly, landing some solid shots including a thudding left uppercut.
Nakatani’s round.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 8
14:27 , George FloodInoue ups his levels in round eight, moving through the gears, stepping in and letting the shots fly.
He’s gliding in and out of range beautifully again, getting those sharp punches off before moving away from any danger.
A bit of showboating today from Inoue, now he backpedals all the way across the ring.
A strong end to the round from Nakatani as he catches Inoue and both fighters exchange smiles as the crowd applauds.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 7
14:24 , George FloodInto the second half of the fight and it’s another bright start from Nakatani.
But there’s now blood coming from the nose of the challenger after a couple of sharp punches find the mark from the aggressive Inoue.
A few lovely right hands from Inoue landed there, he’s so good at attacking from all angles.
“You’ve got to start letting your hands go,” Nakatani is told by trainer Rudy Hernandez in the corner before the start of round eight.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 6
14:21 , George FloodNakatani is moving his feet now and giving Inoue far more to think about, looping in some smart shots with those long arms.
He’s starting to use that left hand much more.
But Inoue still looks the more impressive fighter when he drives in off the front foot and lets his hands go, even though he’s landing little of note.
Terence Crawford doesn’t look too impressed at ringside...
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 5
14:17 , George FloodNakatani finally shows a bit of ambition in the fifth, making Inoue think with a more aggressive approach and a couple of eye-catching punches including a straight shot down the middle.
Inoue isn’t fazed and continues with his approach behind the effective jab, but that might just give Nakatani some confidence.
His first round of the fight for me.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 4
14:13 , George FloodAnother close, tense round, but I think it’s another for Inoue.
His total mastery of the angles is paying off so far, he’s so good at slipping around that southpaw jab, getting off some scoring shots in bursts and largely avoiding any stiff counters.
He’s aiming for the body first and then landing some short shots upstairs as he switches the levels in a flash.
Nakatani is yet to do much at all, in truth.
I have Inoue 4-0 up, 3-1 at a push.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 3
14:09 , George FloodReally absorbing stuff this, it’s every bit as tense as I expected it to be.
It was never likely to be a firefight, but an intriguing clash of styles and a chess match.
It’s a very difficult bout to score and opinions on social media already look split.
Some feel Nakatani is controlling this at range, but I think Inoue’s approach will be leaving far more of an impression on the judges as he continues to slip in and out.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 2
14:05 , George FloodInoue has definitely started the better here, he’s judging the distance well and moving slickly inside, letting his hands go - albeit without landing much - and quickly getting back out of range of those long levers.
Nakatani has had a couple of good moments in a chess match, but he’s not really utilising that length and size advantage yet.
It’s another really close round, but I think Inoue’s more aggressive, front-footed approach will be decisive with the judges.
Inoue vs Nakatani - Round 1
13:59 , George FloodA very wide stance from the outset by southpaw Nakatani, who, in the white and gold shorts, wants to establish himself off the back foot early on.
The bleach-blonde Inoue, three inches shorter than his opponent and with a reach deficit, lunges forward with a couple of quick-fire flurries, whipping in those black and gold gloves.
It’s tense stuff as Inoue steps up the tempo again late in the round, producing another couple of flurries that don’t really land but will likely have swayed the judges that he edged a very close opener.
Inoue vs Nakatani
13:56 , George FloodHere we go!
Let’s hope this lives up to the significant hype...
That was some ring walk from Inoue, far more lavish than usual to reflect the size of this occasion.
It’s now time for the Japanese national anthem and final introductions from Michael Buffer, then we will be underway.
Naoya Inoue ring walk
13:46 , George FloodA big build-up as you would expect for Naoya Inoue, with some serious guitar shredding going on before he makes his entrance.
The pyrotechnics bring bursts of fire and the crowd roars as the undisputed super-bantamweight champion finally emerges.
Nakatani waits in the ring as Inoue soaks up the adulation of this adoring Tokyo crowd.
Junto Nakatani ring walk
13:39 , George FloodA big main event means Michael Buffer on the mic and he’s introducing Junto Nakatani first as a hush of anticipation and excitement falls around the Tokyo Dome.
Both Inoue and Nakatani are wearing robes of gold.
Here comes the challenger...
Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani up next
13:33 , George FloodJust the main event to come now at a sold-out Tokyo Dome, where 55,000 people are in attendance today.
Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani for the undisputed super-bantamweight championship of the world is up next.
One of the most keenly anticipated fights of 2026 and arguably the biggest bout in the history of boxing in Japan is finally upon us.
You won’t want to miss it!
Yoshiki Takei beats DeKang Wang by majority decision
13:27 , George FloodTo the scorecards we go once more in Tokyo and it’s a majority decision win for Yoshiki Takei in the end.
Two judges have it 77-75 and 78-74 in his favour, while a third has it level at 76-76.
Takei’s disappointment and frustration with his performance is evident during his post-fight interview.
He has to be much better than that to make any impact up at 122 pounds.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 8
13:24 , George FloodTakei has won this fight, but it’s been a far tougher test than anticipated against an opponent who has not fought for two years.
He’s shown flashes of real quality, but his defence is non-existent and he’s been far too easy to hit all night.
He has tired way too quickly at times and appeared to panic a lot under pressure and after being hurt.
This looked like a straightforward assignment on his super-bantamweight debut after losing the WBO bantamweight world title last year, but it’s been anything but.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 7
13:18 , George FloodMore entertaining action in the penultimate round of this super- bantamweight eight-rounder.
Takei shows his skills, speed and variety again, but again he is absolutely not having things all his own way against the durable Wang, who he cannot seem to hurt.
Wang will not be deterred, walking through everything and letting his hands go, frequently catching Takei with some heavy shots.
Takei is relying on his speed to get him out of range, but it’s not working tonight.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 6
13:12 , George FloodTakei’s best period of the fight so far in the early stages of the sixth.
He raises the levels massively to put Wang under serious pressure, his hands a blur as he thunders through the fierce flurries and combinations.
But this is some effort - particularly given his long absence from the ring - from Wang, who takes the punishment, stays upright and quickly fights fire with fire.
Takei is just way too easy to hit and has his head snapped back again.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 5
13:08 , George FloodA cracking fifth round with some furious exchanges as both fighters let the shots fly.
Takei counters well repeatedly and then exacts some pressure of his own, delivering some emphatic punches including a jolting uppercut.
But here comes Wang again before the bell, unloading with fury with Takei against the ropes.
A decent scrap this so far.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 4
13:05 , George FloodA good bounce back from Takei at the start of the fourth as he begins to find some momentum and rhythm.
But the tempo dips again quickly and Wang takes advantage, letting his hands go as he charges forward on the front foot once more.
Takei keeps needing to hold on after getting hit. He doesn’t look comfortable.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 3
13:03 , George FloodA terrific and all-action third round from Wang, who ramps up his aggressive approach significantly.
He repeatedly walks down and traps Takei, having him in trouble and needing to hold on in the corner as some walloping short shots rain down.
He looked hurt there...
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 2
12:57 , George FloodA game start by Wang, who isn’t here simply to make up the numbers.
He’s aggressive and on the front foot, but he doesn’t look quick or agile enough to put Takei under proper pressure.
The home fighter is on his feet and moving around the ring sprightly, picking his moments and flurries.
But he’s yet to properly get going heading into the third.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 1
12:52 , George FloodA positive start from Takei, who suddenly lurches forward and unleashes a vicious combination that Wang does well to take and stay on his feet.
He smiles and shrugs it off, but that will undoubtedly have left an early mark.
Wang tries to throw back, but nothing to particularly worry the former WBO bantamweight champion.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang
12:50 , George FloodHere we go then.
Will it be an emphatic super-bantamweight debut from Takei?
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang
12:45 , George FloodHere we go with today’s chief support act at the Tokyo Dome, which, like the main event, is also in the men’s super-bantamweight division.
11-1 former kickboxing legend Yoshiki Takei is in action for the first time since losing his WBO bantamweight title to Mexico’s Christian Medina in Nagoya last September.
He’s up against China’s 9-1 DeKang Wang, who has not fought at all since losing to Fillipus Nghitumbwa in Namibia two years ago.
This could be a real mismatch...
Takuma Inoue dominates Kazuto Ioka to retain WBC bantamweight title
12:30 , George FloodWe go to the judges’ scorecards and it is absolutely emphatic, as expected.
118-108, 119-107, 120-106 - all in favour of two-time bantamweight world champion Takuma Inoue, who successfully defends the WBC belt at 118 pounds for the first time.
Can his big brother follow suit?
One more fight to go before Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 12
12:28 , George FloodInoue looks briefly like he is going to do just that in an electric start to the final round, but Ioka holds out to see the final bell.
A total shutout from the champion.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 11
12:17 , George FloodIoka finally traps Inoue near the ropes early in the penultimate round and lets his hands go, digging well to the body, but the champion manages to escape fairly quickly.
Will Inoue push for a last-gasp finish in the 12th?
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 10
12:14 , George FloodA punishing 10th round for a tired-looking Ioka, who takes more heavy punishment and has his nose bloodied.
Inoue’s sharp left jab is such a weapon and he’s using it really well to tee up the fizzing combinations.
Two rounds to go.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 9
12:11 , George FloodA familiar story in the eighth as Inoue continues to impress and dominate this one-sided fight.
Ioka certainly doesn’t lack determination but it became apparent some time ago that there looks to be nothing he can do here to turn the tide.
He has long since needed a knockout, but hasn’t come close to hurting Inoue so far.
He’s not throwing nearly enough despite trying to always walk down Inoue and put the pressure on.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 8
12:06 , George FloodIoka is still walking down Inoue at every opportunity, but it’s so slow and ponderous, not nearly intense enough and nowhere near enough on the shots to make the champion stop in his tracks.
Inoue continues to look a class apart with his far superior speed, movement and shining footwork.
He’s picking off Ioka at will with those brilliant fizzing bursts.
Inoue will be disappointed if he doesn’t get the stoppage, but it’s worth noting that only five of his 21 professional wins have come by knockout.
He is not a knockout king like his brother, that’s for sure.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 7
12:00 , George FloodInoue quickly rises through the gears once more at the start of the seventh, with Ioka doing well to stay upright amid a vicious barrage from the champion in which he showcases his impressive variety, power, footwork and accuracy.
Thudding uppercuts and hooks rattle the target continually in another hugely dominant round for Inoue.
Not sure how Ioka didn’t hit the canvas for the third time there.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 6
11:58 , George FloodA closer sixth as the resolute Ioka shows great heart and determination.
But the far superior Inoue is in firm control of this fight at the halfway stage.
I don’t think you can give a single round to Ioka so far.
Maybe the fourth or first, if you were being really generous.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 5
11:54 , George FloodInoue ups the tempo and his work rate again in the fifth, firing out that effective jab and landing several eye-catching punches including a crushing right hand straight down the middle.
Ioka is coming forward all the time and wants to land plenty to the body at close quarters, but he’s rather plodding and the difference in speed and footwork is enormous.
Inoue is going on the offensive when he needs to, but also fighting well off the back foot.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 4
11:50 , George FloodIoka is looking every one of his 37 years at the moment as an opponent seven years his junior continues to run rings around him.
His legs don’t look steady and he can’t move them fast enough to evade the speedy and spiteful Inoue.
However, Inoue clearly eases up as the fourth round progresses, the sharp jab is less frequent and Ioka begins to find some success at close range to restore a bit of confidence.
You feel that Inoue could have got a stoppage there if he’d have really forced the issue.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 3
11:45 , George FloodIoka is down again early in the third round as he simply cannot live with Inoue’s fast, precise and powerful attacks.
He never saw that absolute peach of a right uppercut coming. It landed flush on the jaw and left him crumpled.
Things look extremely ominous for the 37-year-old, who has a lot of this round left to negotiate.
He’s buzzed again more than once by Inoue’s dangerous right hand, but does hear another bell and makes his way wearily to the corner, where trainer Ismael Salas has a lot of work to do.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 2
11:41 , George FloodAn explosive finish to an impressive second round from Inoue, who continues to jab brilliantly and then floors a trapped Ioka with a vicious combination - leaving him flat on his face on the canvas.
Shades of his brother there as Inoue unloads a series of punishing shots, including a couple of spiteful right hands.
Ioka beats the count and the bell quickly sounds.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka - Round 1
11:39 , George FloodA competitive opening round to kick off the main card in Tokyo.
Inoue is working well behind the sharp and fizzing jab from the outset, though Ioka picked his moments and landed some eye-catching shots as the first wore on.
This could be a cracker...
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka
11:35 , George FloodWhat an achievement it would be if Kazuto Ioka can pull off the victory today.
The 37-year-old was Japan’s first-ever four-weight world champion and is now looking to become a five-division titlist, joining the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao and Terence Crawford.
Ioka stopped Maikel Ordosgoitti in the fourth round on his bantamweight debut in December, having previously lost his WBA super-flyweight title to Argentine Fernando Martinez, who also won the rematch.
Here we go...
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka
11:30 , George FloodTakuma Inoue is showing more brashness than his older brother as he whips up the crowd on his way to the ring.
There are some star names at ringside in Tokyo, including Terence Crawford and Turki Alalshikh.
Inoue previously held the WBA bantamweight title, but lost it to Seiya Tsutsumi in October 2024 in what was only his second professional loss.
He bounced back quickly 13 months later in November to outpoint previously undefeated former kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa - once stopped in the first round in an exhibition contest by Floyd Mayweather - and become a two-time world champion by picking up the WBC belt vacated by Junto Nakatani after his move up to super-bantamweight.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka
11:29 , George FloodTakuma Inoue is showing more brashness than his older brother as he whips up the crowd on his way to the ring.
There are some star names at ringside in Tokyo, including Terence Crawford and Turki Alalshikh.
Inoue previously held the WBA bantamweight title, but lost it to Seiya Tsutsumi in October 2024 in what was only his second professional loss.
He bounced back quickly 13 months later in November to outpoint previously undefeated former kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa - once stopped in the first round in an exhibition against Floyd Mayweather - and become a two-time world champion and pick up the vacant WBC belt.
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka
11:21 , George FloodThe main card is finally set to begin at a sold-out Tokyo Dome.
Takuma Inoue will be up first, rather than the chief support act as Naoya’s younger brother defends his WBC bantamweight world title for the first time against legendary four-weight world champion Kazuto Ioka.
Yoshiki Takei vs Dekang Wang will follow, before Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani.
Where are Inoue and Nakatani in pound-for-pound top 10?
11:15 , George FloodA reminder that today’s colossal main event in Tokyo pits The Ring’s current pound-for-pound number two in Naoya Inoue - behind only the great Oleksandr Usyk - against the number six in Junto Nakatani.
A two-time undisputed, four-weight world champion against a three-weight and former unified world champion. Both unbeaten. Both 32-0. It hardly gets much better.
Shakur Stevenson, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez and Dmitry Bivol currently sit between them.
The Ring’s top 10 is rounded out by David Benavidez, Devin Haney, Oscar Collazo and Emanuel Navarrete.
Benavidez of course steps up to cruiserweight in Las Vegas tonight to challenge Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez for the unified WBA and WBO titles.
Jin Sasaki beats Sora Tanaka in thriller
11:05 , George FloodJin Sasaki claims the OPBF welterweight title after a 10-round firefight against Sora Tanaka, who suffers his first professional defeat.
Two judges scored it in Sasaki’s favour, 97-93 and 96-94, while another gave it 96-94 to Tanaka.
Sasaki gets it by split decision.
Yoshiki Takei vs Dekang Wang is on the main card, which should be underway shortly.
Sora Tanaka vs Jin Sasaki
10:59 , George FloodSounds like quite the battle ongoing at the moment between the highly-entertaining Jin Sasaki and Sora Tanaka, where the OPBF welterweight title is on the line.
Sasaki was brutally stopped by Brian Norman Jr in the fifth round in Tokyo last year as he unsuccessfully challenged for the WBO world title at 147 pounds.
He bounced back with his own memorable second-round stoppage of Marlon Pagalpalan in February.
Tanaka was great as an amateur and is 5-0 as a professional so far, stopping veteran Shoki Sakai in October.
Toshiki Shimomachi has also beaten Reiya Abe in another all-Japanese prelim bout at the Tokyo Dome.
Still waiting for this broadcast to begin...
What time is Inoue vs Nakatani fight?
10:37 , George FloodYuito Moriwaki now has the OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific super-middleweight titles after victory over South Korea’s Deok No Yun as the early undercard continues at the Tokyo Dome.
We are expecting Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani to be in the ring for the main event at around 1pm BST this afternoon, but that exact timing is subject to change.
Early undercard underway
10:26 , George FloodThe early undercard is underway at the Tokyo Dome, where WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champion Kosuke Tomioka has retained his title with a draw against Shogo Tanaka.
The live global television broadcast gets underway in less than 15 minutes’ time.
Nakatani: I will show what I have in me on biggest stage
10:12 , George FloodJunto Nakatani cut a relaxed figure during the final exchanges this week, revelling in the massive occasion as he looks to send a statement in only his second fight up at super-bantamweight.
He tipped the scales at 121.5 pounds, while Naoya Inoue was slightly heavier at 121.9 pounds.
Already a distinguished three-weight world champion in his own right, becoming undisputed as the first man to defeat the feared Inoue would propel Nakatani into superstardom.
“Weight control is good," said Nakatani.
“I think I'm in great condition.
“I am very grateful [to be here]. I know that not many professional boxers have the chance to stand on this stage.
“On May 2, Junto Nakatani's story will be revealed. I'm looking forward to this fight.
“I will show you guys what I have within me and it will be super cool if people are touched by this fight.”
Inoue: I'll prove against Nakatani that I am still great
09:59 , George FloodNaoya Inoue has exuded his usual quiet confidence during fight week, out to prove that his star is certainly not yet on the wane at 33.
However, he is certainly not underestimating the significant challenge posed by Junto Nakatani, an opponent five years his junior.
“I've done everything I have to do,” Inoue said at Thursday’s low-key final press conference in Tokyo.
“I'm now calm and very skilled, getting ready for May 2.
“[Nakatani] is a clever, smart, very straightforward, hard-working guy. He's a great fighter.
“I need to have a mentality like his to get in the ring against him. I've given everything to be ready.
“Keep your eyes open and don't blink.
“A lot of people will be coming to see boxing for the first time, so it would be good if I could show them how great boxing is.
“I'll show them Naoya Inoue and prove that I'm still great.”
Naoya Inoue's brother Takuma defends WBC bantamweight title
09:52 , George FloodNaoya is not the only Inoue fighting at the Tokyo Dome today.
His younger brother Takuma is again on his sibling’s undercard, competing in another world title fight of his own.
The former WBA bantamweight champion bounced back from losing that gold to Seiya Tsutsumi in his maiden loss and became a two-time titlist by winning the vacant WBC belt at 118 pounds on points against formerly unbeaten kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa at the Toyota Arena in December.
He puts it on the line for the first time on Saturday in the chief support act, against the legendary Kazuto Ioka, the 37-year-old four-weight world champion still on the comeback trail after his pair of super-flyweight title losses to Argentina’s Fernando Martinez.
Ioka was the first four-weight world champion in Japan’s history and is looking to enter the record books again today by winning a title in a fifth different division.
Inoue vs Nakatani prediction
09:38 , George FloodNaoya Inoue is, as ever, the obvious favourite for this showdown between two pound-for-pound stars, but he is certainly not taking the challenge of Junto Nakatani lightly, calling his rival “very clever, serious and completely dedicated to boxing” during the respectful build-up.
‘The Monster’ added this week: “Because he's that type of fighter, I've felt that I've needed to prepare with the same attitude.”
Inoue’s brutal reputation as one of the sport’s most destructive punchers certainly precedes him, but it’s worth noting that he’s gone the distance now in back-to-back meetings with Murodjon Akhmadaliev and David Picasso, albeit having dominated both.
His reputation for infallibility has also been impacted somewhat after being knocked down for the first time in his career by Luis Nery and then again by Ramon Cardenas, though he went on to secure spiteful knockouts on both of those occasions.
Despite rising up in weight to meet Inoue, Nakatani is actually the taller man by three inches and boasts a reach advantage that he will hope he can utilise effectively, though there will be obvious concerns at how difficult he appeared to find the challenge of Sebastian Hernandez on his super-bantamweight debut in Riyadh in December, before Inoue brushed aside Picasso.
Inoue is another challenge altogether and we’re backing him to put on another boxing clinic to win comfortably on points, if he is unable to register a late stoppage.
Inoue to win by unanimous decision.
Inoue vs Nakatani undercard
09:34 , George FloodNaoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani
Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka
Toshiki Shimomachi vs Reiya Abe
Sora Tanaka vs Jin Sasaki
Kosuke Tomioka vs Shogo Tanaka
Deok No Yun vs Yuito Moriwaki
Yoshiki Takei vs Dekang Wang
How to watch Inoue vs Nakatani
09:33 , George FloodTV channel and live stream: Today’s super fight is being broadcast live and exclusively in the UK via DAZN.
It can be viewed through a regular DAZN subscription and is not on their pay-per-view service.
A monthly flexible pass for DAZN currently costs £25.99.
An annual super saver subscription is available for an up-front payment of £119.99, or £15.99 per month.
The fight can be watched on the DAZN website and app, which is available on smart TVs, laptops, phones and tablets.
Inoue vs Nakatani live
09:28 , George FloodHello and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani.
A huge weekend of boxing begins at a sold-out Tokyo Dome, where 55,000 fans will be in attendance for arguably the biggest fight in the history of Japanese boxing as ‘The Monster’ Inoue defends his undisputed super-bantamweight world titles for the seventh time against his great domestic rival.
It is one of the most hotly anticipated bouts of the year and is simply not to be missed as two undefeated, 32-0 superstars go head to head for all the belts in the 122-pound division on home soil.
The main card action gets underway from approximately 10:40am BST, so stay with us for live updates and results.
