Naoya Inoue defeated Junto Nakatani to defend his undisputed super-bantamweight crown at the Tokyo Dome. This victory marks a significant moment in Japanese boxing history, ending Nakatani’s perfect record.
The fight took place in front of a sell-out crowd of 55,000 fans. Inoue retained his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO belts with scores of 116-112 from two judges and 115-113 from one.
Nakatani suffered his first professional defeat, falling to a 32-fight record. Inoue is now recognized as a four-division champion.
This bout was described as one of the biggest in Japanese boxing history. It featured two undefeated pound-for-pound punchers clashing for supremacy.
Inoue’s performance showcased precise punches and smooth footwork. Notably, Nakatani suffered a cut over his right eye due to a head clash during the fight.
Inoue stated, “He was a fighter with a strong heart. That’s what makes this win mean so much.” Meanwhile, Nakatani acknowledged Inoue’s skill, saying, “I came prepared so there were no surprises, but the champion was great.”
Inoue’s victory further cements his place at the top of the pound-for-pound list. Fans are eager to see what this means for both fighters’ futures in the ring.