At Boxing News and Views, we examine Junto Nakatani’s potential to challenge Naoya Inoue’s dominance. Inoue holds undisputed super bantamweight titles.
He ranks pound-for-pound number one. Nakatani serves as WBC mandatory challenger. Both fighters won recent bouts. This sets up a 2026 megafight.
Inoue defeated Sam Goodman on December 24, 2025. Nakatani beat Tenshin Nasukawa on December 27, 2025. Nakatani won by unanimous decision. He absorbed heavy shots late. Yet, he maintained control. Inoue’s record stands at 32-0. Twenty-seven knockouts mark his ledger. Nakatani holds 32-0 with 25 knockouts. Both remain undefeated. Japanese stars draw massive interest.
Inoue’s career spans light flyweight to super bantamweight. He turned pro in 2012. First title came in 2014. He beat Adrian Hernandez for WBC light flyweight belt. Stopped in round six. Moved to super flyweight in 2014. Won WBO title against Omar Narvaez. Knocked out in round two.
Unified IBF and WBO in 2018. Defeated Emmanuel Rodriguez by knockout. Became undisputed bantamweight in 2022. Beat Nonito Donaire in rematch. Stopped in round two. Moved to super bantam in 2023. Won WBC and WBO against Stephen Fulton. Unified all four belts against Marlon Tapales.
Defended against Luis Nery in 2024. Knocked out in round six. Beat TJ Doheny in 2024. Stopped in round seven. Faced Goodman in 2025. Won by decision. Inoue’s power devastates. His speed overwhelms. Footwork sets traps. Counterpunching excels.
Nakatani started pro in 2015. He won WBO flyweight title in 2020. Beat Giemel Magramo by knockout. Defended against Angel Acosta in 2021. Stopped in round four. Moved to super flyweight in 2022. Won vacant WBO title against Ryota Yamauchi. Decision victory.
Defended against Andrew Moloney in 2023. Knocked out in round 12. Moved to bantamweight in 2024. Won WBC title against Alexandro Santiago. Stopped in round six. Defended against Tasana Salapat in 2024. Knocked out in round three. Beat Petch Sor Chitpattana in 2025. Stopped in round six. Faced Nasukawa in 2025.
Won decision. Nakatani’s southpaw stance aids. His jab controls distance. Power hooks land clean. Body work weakens foes. Height at 5 feet 7 inches helps. Reach measures 67 inches.
Inoue stands 5 feet 5 inches. Reach spans 64 inches. Size difference favors Nakatani. Yet, Inoue bridges gaps with speed. His record against taller foes impresses. Beat Fulton — 5 feet 7 inches. Dominated. Nakatani’s recent win showed vulnerability.
Nasukawa rocked him multiple times. Inoue exploits weaknesses. His knockout ratio hits 84 percent. Nakatani’s stands at 78 percent. Inoue averages more power. Fights end quicker. Nakatani goes distance more. Against Nasukawa — 12 rounds. Inoue’s last decision came early career.
Styles clash intriguingly. Inoue pressures forward. Throws combinations. Nakatani counters from range. Southpaw hooks target liver. Inoue’s chin holds firm. Absorbed Donaire’s power. Recovered. Nakatani’s defense slips. Gets hit flush. Against Moloney — dropped early. Rallied. Inoue punishes errors. His accuracy tops charts. Lands 50 percent power shots. Nakatani connects 45 percent. Stamina favors both. Late rounds test. Inoue finishes strong. Nakatani fades slightly.
Nasukawa bout proved it.Historical matchups provide insight. Past Japanese rivalries thrilled. Tomoki Kameda versus Shinsuke Yamanaka. Yamanaka won twice. Power decided. Inoue mirrors Yamanaka’s dominance.
Nakatani resembles challengers. Manny Pacquiao beat taller foes. Speed overcame reach. Inoue follows suit. Floyd Mayweather outboxed southpaws. Technique prevailed. Inoue adapts similarly. Underdogs upset sometimes. Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson. Size and jab worked. Nakatani’s length could mimic.
Training matters. Inoue trains with father Shingo. Focus on fundamentals. Sparring hones reflexes. Nakatani works with MT Gym. Emphasizes conditioning. Both prepare meticulously. Inoue’s camp eyes unification defenses. Nakatani’s team pushes mandatory shot. Promoters align. Bob Arum handles both. Top Rank sets stage. Riyadh events draw funds. Saudi backing boosts purses. Fight sells in Japan. Viewership records possible.
Skeptics doubt Nakatani. Inoue’s resume shines brighter. Four-division champion. Undisputed twice. Nakatani three-division titlist. Yet, no undisputed status. Inoue beat hall-of-famers. Donaire, Fulton. Nakatani’s wins include Moloney, Santiago. Solid — but not elite. Age factors. Inoue at 32. Peak form. Nakatani at 28. Youth aids recovery. Experience edges Inoue. Twenty title fights. Nakatani twelve.
Potential outcome varies. Inoue’s speed neutralizes reach. Closes distance. Lands uppercuts. Nakatani’s jab disrupts. Forces respect. Mid-rounds decide. Body shots weaken. Inoue’s power ends it. Prediction: Inoue by knockout. Rounds eight to ten. Yet, Nakatani poses threat. Upset possible if Inoue slips. Perfect punch lands.
Division needs this. Super bantam lacks depth. Inoue cleared top contenders. Nakatani injects fresh blood. Win elevates him. Loss respects effort. Legacy builds. Inoue chases greatness. Fifth division tempts. Nakatani eyes dominance.
We at Boxing News and Views track developments. Verbal agreements exist. Inoue called out Nakatani in 2025. Awards ceremony sparked it. Fight contracts pending. Date targets summer 2026. Tokyo Dome possible. Capacity 55,000.
Sellout expected.
Facts support challenge. Records match. Styles intrigue. History favors bold. Nakatani’s tools threaten. Inoue’s mastery counters. Bout defines era. Japanese boxing peaks.
In summary, Nakatani holds keys to upset. Length and power aid. Yet, Inoue’s skill dominates. Experience prevails. Fight captivates. Outcome decides dominance.
Not long to go now until the big one between Nakatani vs Inoue.
That is Nakatani’s opportunity for the real big time.
