Naoya Inoue cemented his legacy with a unanimous decision win against fellow Japanese Junto Nakatani to retain his undisputed super-bantamweight status at the Tokyo Dome on May 2, 2026. The match marked a significant moment in boxing history.
Inoue’s victory was not just about titles; it showcased his dominance in the ring. He faced an undefeated opponent, Nakatani, who came into the fight with a record of 32 wins and 24 KOs. All 55,000 tickets sold out a month before the event, highlighting the excitement surrounding this matchup.
The fight was streamed live on DAZN, making it accessible to fans worldwide. Inoue opened as a 1/4 (-400) favorite, while Nakatani was seen as a 3/1 (+300) underdog. This disparity reflected Inoue’s established reputation as a four-division world champion.
The bout itself drew intense interest—Nakatani suffered a cut above his left eye in the tenth round, but he fought valiantly until the end. Judges scored the contest 116-112, 116-112, and 115-113, confirming Inoue’s skill and strategy.
