It’s been hailed as the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history, and it will hopefully happen some time next year: Naoya Inoue Vs. Junto Nakatani. Two unbeaten warriors, both being quite brilliant as well as ruthless, with vicious punching power in both hands. Who wins when this fight rolls around?
Inoue, undefeated at 30-0(27) has as we know been knocked down twice now in his career, and some do see “The Monster” as at least somewhat vulnerable at age 32. However, it has to be pointed out that Inoue got right back up after being decked by Luis Nery and then, in his last fight, by Ramon Cardenas, and he took his pair of challengers out.
Will Nakatani’s Southpaw Style Be the X-Factor?
Junto Nakatani, though, says “there are possibilities” as far as knocking Inoue out in their clash. Nakatani, a southpaw, is currently 31-0(24) and he is set to have his 122 pound debut soon (possibly against Cardenas). Speaking with The Associated Press, “Big Bang” said fans really want to see him and Inoue fight because “our stories clash, and that’s where it is fun.”
Fans also want to see these two warriors fight because they know it will result in something violently special.
“That’s the way boxing works. Inoue has a story, and I have a story,” 27 year old Nakatani said. “When these stories clash, people are moved and gain courage. That’s where it is fun. For me, boxing is what you show in the ring all that you worked for and built every day. It’s a place where you express the life you have lived. If you ever get angry, you will lose.”
Inoue fights like a machine, focused, cool and calm, his mind on the task in front of him. Nakatani is pretty much the same. But to those two knockdowns Inoue has suffered, Nakatani points when it comes to finding a way to defeat him.
“He is an athlete who has everything. He has outstanding boxing skills and so he is hard to beat,” Nakatani said of his countryman. “But even then, there are possibilities.”
It would perhaps not be that big of a shock if BOTH men hit the mat at some stage when this fight happens, with the fighter who has the biggest will to win getting the victory – is this Inoue or is it Nakatani? We cannot wait to find out. Some time in 2026, so long as both Inoue and Nakatani have avoided a loss, this super-fight will surely happen.
Naoya Inoue To Junto Nakatani: “Welcome To The Super-Bantamweight Division”
With “Monster” Inoue watching on, southpaw Nakatani, 31-0(24) stopped Nishida on a nasty eye injury and he now holds the WBC and IBF bantamweight belts. But Inoue will fight Nakatani up at 122, where he of course holds all four world titles.
“Welcome to the super-bantamweight division,” Inoue posted on social media, referring to Nakatani’s imminent move up a division. “It would be exciting to see such a strong Japanese fighter.”
This fight will happen, it seems inevitable so long as both men remain unbeaten. While even if Nakatani or Inoue did suffer a bump along the road, their clash would still be big. Nakatani, going by all reports, will likely move up in weight in his next fight, but he will have to wait a while for the Inoue fight, as Inoue, 30-0(27) will next accommodate WBA mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev, this in September, while there is talk of him maybe having a fight up at featherweight before the end of the year.
Then, after Nakatani has tested the waters at 122, the two Japanese stars (Inoue being a superstar) will hopefully get it on in 2026. Nakatani is certainly tall enough to be able to make the move up to 122 and be successful, but can he become the first man to defeat Inoue?
Both men are superb ring technicians, with power, speed, aggression, the ability to take a good shot if they have to, and a real desire for true greatness. Who wins when Inoue and Nakatani rumble with all the super-bantamweight belts on the line? Is there a bigger pound-for-pound fight in all of boxing right now?
Inoue has so far won world titles at four weights, Nakatani has ruled at three weights.
