Junto Nakatani remains on collision course with Naoya Inoue after latest win
When Junto Nakatani stepped into the ring to face Ryosuke Nishida with each man's bantamweight world title hanging in the balance, he also had to contend with an unseen force whose presence was felt almost as heavily as the punches the boxers traded for six rounds.
Naoya Inoue was not in the ring at Ariake Coliseum on Sunday night — although he was in the front row watching from behind a pair of sunglasses — but he might as well have been. The specter of the 'Monster' clings to Nakatani these days, lurking behind every corner and lingering over every sparring session, every fight and every meeting with the media.
Nakatani does not only carry the weight of world titles on his shoulders but also the pressure to hold up his end of the bargain on the road to a blockbuster showdown against Inoue that looms larger each time one of them steps in the ring.
Nakatani took another step toward what could be the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history by defeating Nishida via sixth-round TKO in an entertaining bout that saw him successfully defend his WBC bantamweight world title and take the IBF belt off Nishida to unify the title.
After it was over, Nakatani, who improved to 31-0 with 24 knockouts, had a message for Inoue, the undisputed super bantamweight champion.
'I'll be there soon, so please wait for me,' said a smiling Nakatani, who would have to move to a higher weight class to face Inoue.
Inoue responded later Sunday night.
'Welcome to the super bantamweight division,' he wrote on his X account. 'I would be excited to see such a strong Japanese fighter.'
Junto Nakatani punches Ryosuke Nishida during the second round of their title fight. |
JIJI
There is still a long way to go and hurdles to clear before the superstars can meet — both say a fight could happen in May 2026 — but Nakatani cleared a potentially tricky hurdle with his victory over the previously unbeaten Nishida.
Nakatani and Nishida (10-1) went at each other from the opening bell as the crowd roared in approval. Nakatani said later his strategy was to surprise Nishida by closing the distance between them and taking the fight to him early.
'We decided as a team to try and inflict damage on him from the first round,' Nakatani said.
Nakatani is known as 'Big Bang,' and true to his name he landed some big blows early with sweeping overhand lefts and uppercuts.
Nishida, though, was up for the fight and found success with some counterpunches.
'We're exceptionally proud of his fighting spirit and the skills he exhibited last night against a truly elite operator in this era,' Mike Altamura told The Japan Times. Altamura is a well-respected boxing manager and adviser who has brought many international fighters to Japan and sometimes works with Muto Boxing Gym, which serves as Nishida's base.
Nakatani's fusillade of heavy punches caused Nishida's right eye to swell early, and the WBC champion started to focus his attacks there.
During the fifth round, the ringside doctor examined Nishida's eye, which was heavily swollen by that point. The fight did not last much longer, as Nishida also suffered a dislocated shoulder and could not continue after the sixth round.
Inoue watched it all unfold from his ringside seat.
'I knew he was in the crowd,' Nakatani said. 'It's important to take one fight at a time, and if I perform well, the expectations for bigger fights will grow. I want to do my best.'
Naoya Inoue walks to the mound to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before a game between the Cubs and Dodgers at Tokyo Dome on March 18. |
Imagn Images / VIA REUTERS
A potential showdown between Inoue, No. 2 in Ring Magazine's pound-for-pound rankings, and Nakatani, who is No. 7, is one of the most highly anticipated fights on the horizon.
Inoue is 30-0 with 27 KOs and has left a trail of destruction and battered boxers in his wake. He is the complete package of skills, brains and overwhelming power. No one has been able to stand against him, and only three of his fights have gone the distance.
Some think Nakatani can be the man who finally slays the 'Monster.'
The left-handed knockout artist has 24 KOs on his resume, including his win over Nishida. He is a three-weight champion and has defended his WBC belt four times since winning it in February 2024.
'Nakatani is an outstanding talent,' Altamura said. 'He has evolved and developed so many layers to his fighting craft throughout the years. He's a fast, smooth boxing technician but also possesses a savage streak and an adaptability to change tempos and commit to taking educated risks if he senses potential openings in opponents.
'I think the Inoue-Nakatani contest has to be considered one of the best current showdowns in world boxing, and it's challenging to think of a more high-stakes all-Japanese contest in history.'
Rather than shy away from talk of a potential bout against Inoue, Nakatani has embraced it.
Noting the way Inoue thundered back after being knocked down for the first time in his career by Luis Nery in May 2024 and then by Ramon Cardenas last month, Nakatani told Ring Magazine that if he knocks down Inoue, 'I have to make sure that he doesn't get back up.' Nakatani also agreed with his trainer that it would be better to fight Inoue sooner than later, while the superstar boxer is still at the height of his powers, and Nakatani could receive full credit for beating him.
Inoue, by far the more high-profile fighter in terms of star power, also has Nakatani in his sights.
"If we can come through this year strongly, I believe it will be the most exciting bout between Japanese in the country's boxing history," Inoue said during an awards ceremony both attended in March, according to Kyodo News.
Fans can only hope both fighters keep winning until they inevitably meet.
'Nakatani took some risks early last night that I couldn't imagine him taking offensively against Inoue,' Altamura said. 'I perceive that fight may be highly technical, watchful in the initial stages as both men figure out the potential openings and adapt to one another's movements.
"But both combatants possess very offensive-minded mentalities, and there will be fireworks eventually. Inoue, I feel, adjusts exceptionally well to each opponent. He figures out the punch selection and range which suits his artillery, then gradually will increase his punching output and intent. Inoue is the heavier handed between the two, and so Nakatani will need to be tactically aware to not stand too long in exchanges.
"Currently, I favor Inoue, though I am genuinely curious to see how Nakatani may potentially level up and make tactical defensive adjustments against somebody as strong and technically adept as Inoue. It's a mouthwatering contest, truly.'
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