Just weeks after successfully defending his title, Naoya Inoue already has his next match planned. On December 27th, Inoue made his debut in Saudi Arabia, defending his undisputed super bantamweight crown against David Picasso. Although Picasso showed resilience early on, Inoue, known as “The Monster,” dominated the middle rounds and secured a unanimous decision victory. Now, the 32-year-old champion is preparing for his upcoming fight.
In 2025, Inoue defended his title four times and was a strong contender for Fighter of the Year alongside Terrence Crawford. Despite only one fight, “Bado’s” victory over Canelo Alvarez earned him more votes, but this hasn’t slowed Inoue’s momentum. The WBC president recently hinted at Inoue’s next opponent—a fellow Japanese champion. On the same night as Inoue’s bout with Picasso, Japanese star Junto Nakatani scored a win, earning a title shot against Inoue.
Nakatani’s victory, although somewhat controversial among fans who believed Sebastian Hernandez deserved the win, set him up for the clash with “The Monster.” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman announced the title fight between Inoue and Nakatani will take place at Tokyo Dome in early May. Nakatani, boasting an undefeated 32-0 record, moved up from bantamweight to super bantamweight, giving up his three bantamweight titles to face Inoue.
Inoue’s dominance and achievements—having claimed world titles in three weight divisions—are undeniable. A decisive win over Nakatani in what promises to be a thrilling contest would further cement Inoue’s stature and bolster his case in the GOAT conversation.
Fan Take: This announcement excites fight fans as it not only promises an epic showdown between two undefeated Japanese champions but also highlights Inoue’s relentless pursuit of greatness. Such high-stakes matches raise the profile of boxing globally and keep the sport vibrant and compelling for audiences everywhere.
