Inoue and Nakatani Set for Historic Title Bout at Tokyo Dome
TOKYO – In a highly anticipated clash of undefeated Japanese boxing champions, Naoya Inoue will defend his undisputed super bantamweight world title against compatriot Junto Nakatani on May 2nd at the Tokyo Dome. The event, dubbed “The Day,” is being hailed as the biggest all-Japanese fight in boxing history, drawing comparisons to the iconic 1990 bout between Mike Tyson and James “Buster” Douglas held at the same venue. MSN reports that both fighters will compete at a catchweight, requiring one or both to move up or down in weight classes.
The Fighters
Naoya Inoue
Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) has established himself as one of the world’s premier boxers, earning the moniker “The Monster” for his dominant performances. The Body Lock MMA highlights Inoue’s impressive record and his status as the undisputed super bantamweight champion, holding all four major world titles at 122 pounds. He has previously won world titles in four different weight classes throughout his career.
Junto Nakatani
Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs) is the current WBC bantamweight champion, bringing an unblemished record to the fight. Yahoo Sports notes that Nakatani possesses size and reach advantages over Inoue. Nakatani has held world championships in three weight classes, including the WBO flyweight title (2020-2022) and the WBO junior bantamweight title (2023). He also unified the WBC and IBF titles between 2024 and 2025, and the Ring Magazine bantamweight title in 2025. Wikipedia details his transition from karate to boxing, where he found greater success due to the sport’s weight classes.
Significance of the Bout
This matchup represents a rare occasion of two undefeated Japanese world champions facing each other. The fight has generated significant excitement in Japan, with the 55,000-capacity Tokyo Dome expected to be filled. Yahoo Sports suggests that Inoue, despite his dominance, may be facing a challenger uniquely positioned to test his aura of invincibility. The event is expected to boost the popularity of boxing in Japan, building on the momentum already created by Inoue’s success.
Broadcast Information
The fight will be broadcast live on DAZN worldwide, allowing fans globally to witness this historic event. Yahoo Sports confirms the DAZN broadcast.