Potential All-Japanese Showdown: Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani

Boxing fans worldwide are eagerly anticipating a possible clash between two of Japan’s finest fighters, Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani. This exciting matchup could become a reality sooner than many expected, possibly as early as 2025.

Naoya Inoue, the undisputed champion in two weight classes, boasts an impressive record of 29-0 with 26 knockouts. His most recent victory was a dominant fourth-round stoppage against Ye Joon Kim, successfully defending his super-bantamweight titles.

Following this impressive performance, Inoue’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, announced plans for the champion’s next fight to take place in the United States. This marks a change from Inoue’s recent string of fights in Tokyo, where he has built a strong fan base.

Reports suggest that Inoue will face WBC mandatory challenger David Picasso on June 14 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. This bout will be Picasso’s toughest test to date, following his notable win over Azat Hovhannisyan last year.

Looking ahead to December, Inoue is expected to fight in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, under the Riyadh Season banner. While WBA interim titlist Murodjon Akhmadaliev is in line for a title shot, Turki Alalshikh has expressed interest in matching Inoue against Junto Nakatani.

Nakatani, the current WBC bantamweight champion, holds an impressive record of 29-0 with 22 knockouts. He is scheduled to defend his title against undefeated Mexican fighter David Cuellar on February 24.

Despite these upcoming commitments, plans appear to be in motion for a potential super-fight between Inoue and Nakatani at 122 pounds. This all-Japanese clash would undoubtedly be a highlight of the boxing calendar, featuring two undefeated champions known for their powerful punching and ring intelligence.