Inoue–Nakatani Mega-Fight Set For May 3 in Tokyo
- Matthew Brown
- 19 minutes ago
- 2 min read
12/20/2025
The biggest fight in the history of Japanese boxing has reportedly been finalized.
Sources tell Brunch Boxing that the long-anticipated mega-fight between undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue and undefeated former three-weight world champion Junto Nakatani is a “done deal.” The historic showdown is slated for May 3 in Tokyo, taking place during Japan’s annual Golden Week, which is the most culturally significant window on the Japanese calendar.
While terms are in place, the official announcement remains contingent upon both fighters emerging victorious in their upcoming bouts on the December 27 Ring V event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs), the reigning undisputed super bantamweight king and the Brunch Boxing #1 Pound-for-Pound fighter in the world, will defend his four-belt crown against unbeaten contender Alan Picasso in the main event. Known as “The Monster,” Inoue has continued to cement his legacy with ruthless efficiency, dismantling elite opposition across multiple weight classes, including his most recent victory against bitter rival Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
In the co-feature, Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs), most recently the former unified bantamweight champion, will make his super bantamweight debut against Sebastian Hernandez.
A victory by both men clears the final hurdle for the defining fight of both men’s careers.
Inoue and Nakatani have been circling each other for years, with the matchup long viewed as inevitable once Nakatani made the move up in weight. Inoue has consistently expressed openness to the bout, recognizing both its competitive and historical significance.
If both men take care of business on December 27, May 3 in Tokyo will host a generational clash. It is one that transcends titles, divisions, and eras, and stands poised to become the defining moment in Japanese boxing history.
Nakatani will finally have an opportunity to seize the torch from Japan’s biggest and best fighter of all time. For Inoue, it is a chance to further immortalize his reign by defeating the most dangerous and accomplished challenger Japanese boxing has ever produced.
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