Gentlemen’s Agreement: Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani tease superlative fight at JBC Gala – will the Japanese clash take place next year?
This year’s Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) awards ceremony in Tokyo not only celebrated Japan’s boxing elite. There was also a preview of a potential fight of the century. Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani, currently arguably the best boxers in the country, caused a stir with a public handshake: During the event, both agreed on a possible mega-fight in 2026 – a showdown that fans have long wanted.
Inoue (29-0, 26 knockouts), the reigning undisputed world super bantamweight champion, was named “Fighter of the Year” for the seventh time in a row. His victory over Luis Nery was also named “Fight of the Year 2024”. Nakatani (30-0, 23 knockouts), the current WBC bantamweight champion, was honored for “Best Technique” and “Best Knockout”.
After the award ceremony, Inoue addressed his compatriot directly: “Mr. Nakatani, in a year’s time at the Tokyo Dome. Let’s take Japanese boxing to a new level together.” Nakatani responded with a smile and said simply: “Let’s do it.”
Patience is required
Despite the symbolic gesture, the duel will not take place in 2025. Both boxers have their own plans. Nakatani is aiming to unify the bantamweight titles before moving up to super bantam. Inoue, on the other hand, will remain in the super bantam for the time being and defend his title against Ramon Cardenas (26-1, 14 knockouts) in Las Vegas on May 4 – his first fight in the USA since 2021. If Inoue wins, a mandatory defense against Murodjon Akhmadaliev (13-1, 10 knockouts) will follow in Japan in September. He could then move up to featherweight, where a fight against unbeaten WBA champion Nick Ball (22-0-1, 13 knockouts) is on the cards.
A potential clash with Nakatani in 2026 could therefore not only be a prestigious duel between two unbeaten Japanese world champions, but also a featherweight unification fight.
Text by Robin Josten