Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani: Undefeated Super-Bantamweight Unification Fight Set for Tokyo Dome

Key facts

• Naoya Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) defends his undisputed super-bantamweight titles (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) against Junto Nakatani (32-0, 24 KOs).
• The fight takes place on Saturday, May 2, at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.
• Inoue, 33, has won his last five bouts, including a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso in Riyadh last December.
• Nakatani, 28, moved up to super-bantamweight after defeating Sebastian Hernandez on the same December card.
• The event features a co-main event: Takuma Inoue (c) vs Kazuto Ioka for the WBC bantamweight title.
• Both fighters are undefeated: Inoue with a 100% knockout ratio in 27 of 32 wins, Nakatani with 24 KOs.
• This is the first time two Japanese undefeated champions meet in a unification bout at the Tokyo Dome.

A Clash of Unbeaten Titans

Naoya Inoue will put his undisputed super-bantamweight championship on the line against Junto Nakatani on Saturday, May 2, at the Tokyo Dome, in what many consider the sternest test of his career. Both men enter the ring with perfect records: Inoue at 32-0 with 27 knockouts, Nakatani at 32-0 with 24 stoppages. The bout unifies all four major belts — WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO — and pits two of Japan’s finest pound-for-pound fighters against each other. The Tokyo Dome, a venue steeped in boxing history, will host the event. The card also features a bantamweight title fight between Takuma Inoue, the WBC champion, and former multi-division champion Kazuto Ioka, adding further depth to an already stacked evening.

Inoue’s Dominant Run and Nakatani’s Rise

Inoue, 33, has been on a tear in his last five outings, defeating TJ Doheny, Ye Joon Kim, Ramon Cardenas, Murodjon Akhmadaliev, and Alan Picasso. His most recent victory came in December in Riyadh, where he won a unanimous decision over Picasso in his first fight in Saudi Arabia. Nakatani, 28, moved up to super-bantamweight on that same December card, defeating Sebastian Hernandez by decision in a competitive bout that showed his resilience. Despite his perfect record, Nakatani struggled at times against Hernandez, suggesting the step up in weight and class may pose challenges. Yet his power — 24 knockouts in 32 wins — makes him a genuine threat to Inoue’s reign.

The Undercard: Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka and More

The event’s co-main event features Takuma Inoue defending his WBC bantamweight title against Kazuto Ioka, a former world champion in multiple weight classes. The bout is scheduled for 12 rounds and adds a compelling domestic rivalry to the proceedings. Other fights on the card include Kosuke Tomioka vs Shogo Tanaka (flyweight, 10 rounds), Toshiki Shimomachi vs Reiya Abe (featherweight, 10 rounds), Sora Tanaka vs Jin Sasaki (welterweight, 10 rounds), Deok No Yun vs Yuito Moriwaki (super-middleweight, 10 rounds), and Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang (super-bantamweight, 8 rounds).

Stakes and Historical Context

This fight marks the first time two undefeated Japanese champions have met in a unification bout at the Tokyo Dome, a venue that has hosted legendary fights such as Muhammad Ali vs Antonio Inoki and Mike Tyson vs Buster Douglas. The winner will not only hold all four super-bantamweight titles but also solidify their status as Japan’s premier boxer and a top pound-for-pound contender globally. For Inoue, a victory would extend his reign as undisputed champion and potentially set up a move to featherweight. For Nakatani, a win would be a career-defining upset, catapulting him into the sport’s elite. The fight carries significant national pride, as both fighters are Japanese and have large domestic followings.

What Comes Next for the Winner

The immediate future for the winner remains uncertain, but a victory for Inoue could lead to a long-anticipated showdown with featherweight champion Robeisy Ramirez or a lucrative bout in the United States. Nakatani, if he wins, would likely defend his newly won titles against mandatory challengers or pursue a rematch clause. The fight’s outcome will reshape the super-bantamweight division and influence the pound-for-pound rankings for years to come. Both fighters have expressed confidence, but the clash of styles — Inoue’s speed and precision against Nakatani’s power and reach — promises an explosive encounter. The Tokyo Dome crowd will witness a historic moment in Japanese boxing.

The bottom line

• Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani, both undefeated at 32-0, fight for the undisputed super-bantamweight championship on May 2 at the Tokyo Dome.
• Inoue holds all four major belts (WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO) and has won his last five fights, including a unanimous decision over Alan Picasso.
• Nakatani moved up to super-bantamweight in December after defeating Sebastian Hernandez, showing vulnerability but also power.
• The event includes a co-main event between Takuma Inoue and Kazuto Ioka for the WBC bantamweight title.
• This is the first unification bout between two undefeated Japanese champions at the Tokyo Dome, with major implications for pound-for-pound rankings.
• The winner will become the undisputed super-bantamweight champion and likely face a top contender or move up in weight.