The highly anticipated Naoya Inoue-Junto Nakatani superfight is set to take place on May 2 at the iconic Tokyo Dome, marking a significant moment in Japanese boxing. This much-awaited showdown between two of Japan's top boxers will see Inoue defend his undisputed 122lbs championship, while Nakatani aims to join the elite group of four-division titlists. BoxingScene has confirmed that the event will feature at least three major title fights, making it a must-watch spectacle.
The pairing has been a topic of speculation for quite some time, with industry reports often conflicting on the exact date. Initially, multiple outlets reported the fight for May 5, aligning with WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman's 'Cinco de Mayo' timeline. However, the Tokyo Dome's schedule revealed that the venue is already booked from May 3-6, hosting a Nippon Professional Baseball series and an X-League gridiron football opening game. This led to the realization that the Inoue-Nakatani superfight was indeed on the horizon.
Both Inoue and Nakatani are undefeated pound-for-pound boxers, with impressive records. Inoue, at 32-0 (27 KOs), and Nakatani, at 32-0 (24 KOs), were double award winners during the 2024 Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC) awards. Their mutual respect and desire to face each other were evident when they met on stage, with Inoue expressing his eagerness to make this year even better for the highly anticipated domestic match. Nakatani, equally enthusiastic, quickly accepted the challenge.
Inoue's 2025 campaign has been remarkable, with four successful championship defenses. His busy schedule is a testament to his dominance, reminiscent of Brian Mitchell's 1987 campaign. Nakatani, too, had a strong start to his year, becoming the mid-year leader for BoxingScene's Fighter of the Year race. He secured stoppage wins over David Cuellar and Ryosuke Nishida, unifying the WBC and IBF 118lbs titles in a significant unification bout.
Nakatani's final bantamweight fight, where he won the WBC belt and scored knockout wins, paved the way for his move to the 122lbs division, much to Inoue's delight. Inoue has since fought twice, dominating former unified titlist Murodjon Akhmadaliev and unbeaten contender Alan David Picasso. The win over Picasso was part of a sponsored event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Inoue headlined a show featuring Japanese talent, including Nakatani.
Nakatani's 122lbs debut, however, was not without challenges. He faced Sebastian Hernandez, an unbeaten fighter, and emerged victorious via unanimous decision, though the result was disputed. The fight also resulted in a swollen right eye for Nakatani, adding to the drama. Despite the setbacks, both Inoue and Nakatani remain undefeated, setting the stage for an unforgettable superfight.
