Nakatani 'in perfect shape' but Inoue is ready

TOKYO - Japan’s Naoya Inoue will face the biggest challenge of his stellar career, when he takes on unbeaten countryman Junto Nakatani on May 2 in front of a sellout 55,000 crowd at the Tokyo Dome.

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Undisputed super bantamweight world champion Inoue will defend his titles for a seventh time when he clashes with the dangerous southpaw. They boast identical 32-0 records, setting the stage for a bout that has been more than a year in the making and been dubbed the biggest boxing match in Japanese history.

“I have a good understanding of the way he fights,” said the 33-year-old Inoue, who is giving up an 8cm height advantage to Nakatani, who is also five years younger.

“However he starts the fight and whatever methods he uses, I’ll be ready for him.”

The destructive Inoue — who has 27 KOs to his opponent's 24 — will be fighting for the first time in 2026 after taking on a remarkable four bouts in 2025.