Philippines, 02 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Rise of the Samurai: Inoue vs Nakatani in 2026


PhilBoxing.com





Japanese superstar champions Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani have agreed to a clash in 2026, generating immense global interest.

Friendly towards each other, the two unbeaten powerhouses, widely regarded as Japan's best, made the announcement at “Japan's Annual Boxing Awards Ceremony” on Monday.

Inoue, turning 32 very soon, on April 10, was named “Japan's Best Male Boxer” for the 7th consecutive year.

The popular superstar defended his “Undisputed” super bantamweight title twice in 2024, knocking out Mexico's Luis Nery and stopping Ireland's TJ Doheny.

"2024 was special, and I want this year to be even better," Inoue said, praising 27-year-old Nakatani.



Politely, Inoue challenged Nakatani saying, "I want to give my best for the big national match. Mr. Nakatani, let's excite Japanese boxing together at the Tokyo Dome in 2026!"

Nakatani, the WBC bantamweight champion, agreed with a smile, "Let's do it!" The two shook hands, sealing their agreement.

Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) defended his title in January and plans to fight three more times before facing Nakatani (30-0, 23 KOs).

"If we both win this year, our fight could be the most exciting match in Japanese boxing history," Inoue said.

Nakatani, winner of Japan's “Best Technique” and “Japan’s KO of the Year” Awards, stated, "I need to keep developing, looking for victories with more impact."

Inoue and Nakatani are ranked 2nd and 8th in “The Ring Magazine's” pound-for-pound rankings.

However, many fans consider Naoya Inoue the current #1 P4P boxer, even P4P better that Usyk, Crawford, Canelo, and Bivol.

But the question remains: WHO would win when Inoue and Nakatani fight?


The author is veteran boxing reporter Carlos Costa of Cebu. carlos@philboxing.com


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Garcia, Haney, and Lopez Hit the Scales for Blockbuster DAZN PPV Card in Times Square
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 02 May 2025
  • A Monster Arrival! Naoya Inoue & Ramon Cardenas Make Vegas Splash Ahead of Sunday's Undisputed Junior Featherweight Showdown
    , Fri, 02 May 2025
  • Minnesota Timberwolves Oust Lakers; Gobert Finally Gets Back at Dončić
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • “FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES” FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
    , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • BAM AND HITCHINS LAND HUGE SUMMER SHOWDOWNS LIVE ON DAZN
    , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • June 7: Kelvin Davis-Nahir Albright Junior Welterweight Rumble Added to Loaded Keyshawn Davis-Edwin De Los Santos Card at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
    , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • CHAMPIONING MENTAL HEALTH: A NIGHT OF BOXING IN LOS ANGELES ON MAY 22
    , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • Cavite beats San Juan and Pasig in PCAP
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 01 May 2025
  • BEKTEMIR “BEK” MELIKUZIEV AND THE UNDEFEATED DARIUS FULGHUM TO FIGHT IN WBA SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ELIMINATOR
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • “FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES” MEDIA WORKOUT
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • WBC presents "Xicoténcatl" belt for the Canelo-Scull fight in Riyadh
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Thailand to host WBC 63rd Annual Convention in Phuket in November
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas Fight Week Events to Stream LIVE on Top Rank’s Social Media Channels
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Raymond Muratalla: "I’m Ready to Show Out on May 10!"
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Training Camp Notes: Undefeated Lightweight Kaipo Gallegos Prepares for Clash with Pedro Castaneda Castro on May 9 in Orlando
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • “THE KING OF THE FOUR ROUNDERS” ERIC “BUTTERBEAN” ESCH TO ATTEND 2025 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Wed, 30 Apr 2025
  • Action Summary Week Ending 28 April 2025
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • Butler, Green Show Up on Rockets in 109-106 Win
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • Jerusalem Leads Five Pinoys in Ring's Ratings; Japan Dominates the Lower Weights Class
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • Dableo Second in Sydney Standard Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 29 Apr 2025
  • Dreamland: Where Filipino Fists Lit Up San Francisco Nights
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • IM Concio wins Victoria Sports Club Rapid Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • Tapales bags WBC International Silver super bantamweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • Boston, NY and Minnesota One Win Away; Push Orlando, Detroit and LAL on Brink
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025
  • Sasaki Guns for Japan's First World Welterweight Title, Honor as Asia's Best Asian Boxing Nation
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 28 Apr 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.