Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani

Boxing Boxing Talk
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Naoya Inoue has a clear plan in place.

He was initially expected to face IBF mandatory Sam Goodman this summer, however, the Aussie was sidelined by a broken hand.

The plan is for Inoue and Goodman to duke it out in the Japanese capital on Christmas Eve to close out the year in style.

Providing he comes out of that fight unscathed, Inoue will then return in April on a Las Vegas bill that will include a separate bout involving Junto Nakatani with the aim of setting up a Tokyo Dome clash between the pair.

Nakatani has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young fighters in the world.

The Japanese star boasts an unblemished 28-0 record and is a huge puncher with 21 knockout wins to his name.

Despite only being 26 years old, Nakatani is already a three-weight world champion having picked up world titles at flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight.

He is currently in possession of the WBC bantamweight belt and defended it two months ago by blasting out Vincent Astrolabio inside the opening stanza.

Nakatani is expected to meet Inoue at super bantamweight so it is highly likely he will make his 122lbs debut either in April or before then.

Boxing fans have been clambering to see Japan’s two biggest stars collide in the ring for quite some time and Nakatani is just as excited by the prospect.

Speaking to The Boxing Mob two months ago, he said: "Bantamweight right now is good.

"But after one or two more fights it may be hard to make the weight so I want to move up…

"I want to unify with any champion and then move up…

"Of course, this fight (with Inoue) is one of our goals, a big match.

"I think there is still a lot of work to be done toward that point…

"If I beat Inoue I think I will get a lot of recognition. Pound-for-pound I have a goal to be ranked No.1.

“So I think this will be a very big match toward that goal.”

https://talksport.com/sport/2032685/naoya-inoue-bob-arum-junto-nakatani/

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one of the best fights to make

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cool cover

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Mega fight of an era if you ask me. And it needs to be in Japan!

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This is going to be brilliant for 2026.

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It has finally been confirmed to take place on May 2, with all of the undisputed 122lbs marbles at stake.

The huge event is almost certain to be the biggest boxing event in Japanese history involving two domestic talents.

And it will be held at the iconic Tokyo Dome, a stadium in the Japanese capital that holds around 55,000 spectators.

It will the same scene set as the iconic upset inflicted on heavyweight icon Mike Tyson by Buster Douglas in February 1990

Inoue confirmed: "[I will] be going head-to-head with Junto Nakatani at Tokyo Dome in May this year.

“I’m highly motivated for the first time in a while.

"I will train hard and I am looking forward to being in top shape for this fight.”

Nakatani himself knows he has a big task on his hands.

He added: “He is the best fighter in the world, so I need to be in top condition to fight him.”

https://talksport.com/boxing/4004993/naoya-inoue-junto-nakatani-fight-details-venue-mike-tyson/

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marinated exactly one fight too long, should still be fun

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The Junto Nakatani v Sebastian Hernandez was an excellent contest and probably showed why Inoue will be a favourite for this huge event.

Still glad they fought Riyadh Season last December. Both quality boxers.

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they should have been fighting each other last december, both are quality but robbing sebastian took the shine of junto

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they should have been fighting each other last december, both are quality but robbing sebastian took the shine of junto[/QUOTE]

It was not a robbery. It was a good close contest from excellent world class boxers.

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Not often “huge” match ups just fall in place absent all the extended drama and politicking these days. Still see it as one of the biggest fights that can be made in the sport today and tbh just don’t put a lot of weight into it now being ‘less’ or diminished Junto found himself in a real battle last out. I actually loved the fact that we went old school and had them headlining on same card with evidently a deal well in the works. We hear the term “marinated” and over marinated a lot today but we’re talking a matter of months here not years and not after one or both had been planked out. Great it’s in Japan! On a side note, forget the day you better take to entire weekend off ;D. Same morning/night as the Benevidez v Zurdo fight, better pack a punch. Excellent birthday weekend ;D

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hopefully sebastian hernandez can get a shot at naoya or even a rematch with junto. ideally they’d have him on the undercard in line for a shot at the winner. let’s hope for a stacked card as well

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Was thinking the same, keep him in the mix. From names I’ve seen he already has a couple wins over zuffa fighters so they can easily rotate him in for another Ring card etc. He’s showed he belongs in another solid match up.

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officially official

his brother’s on the undercard as well in another good fight

this should be a war on the undercard

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if naoya can get back to his peak body punching then junto’s in trouble

also, if kazuto ioka defeats takuma (naoya’s brother) to win a title in a fifth division, would you rank his overall career ahead of nonito & el gallo?

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Kinda late to the thread, but I’d love to see this fight. A mega fight for sure. Naoya to me has been p4p #1 for quite some time now. Usyk a close 2nd, but still Naoya for me. His “Monster” moniker is well-deserved.

This is what I admire and crave from all the top fighters.

Get out there and fight the very best. Forget about legacies and your DAMN “0”. Put it all out there and let the chips fall where they may. Respect to both for taking this fight.

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Great weekend of boxing Inoue, Eggerton and Benavedez fighting.

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Looks like a 3 day weekend after all. Not sure how much stock, if any, we as fans put into sparring rumors but I saw something brief that Hernandez was sent home from the Inoue camp?! Apparently might have given him some tough work :face_with_raised_eyebrow:

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Outstanding match-up. Inoue is and deserves to be the favorite going in. But Nakatani is no punk. And he has an excellent chance of coming out victorious.

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