Naoya Inoue has successfully defended his undisputed super-bantamweight title by defeating Junto Nakatani in a highly anticipated Japanese boxing match. The bout, which took place in front of a packed crowd of 55,000 at the Tokyo Dome, saw Inoue retain his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO belts after a grueling 12 rounds.
The judges' scores were 116-112, 116-112, and 115-113 in favor of Inoue, marking the end of Nakatani's perfect 32-fight record. Inoue, known as 'The Monster,' showcased his formidable power and combination of punches, which ultimately proved too much for Nakatani to overcome.
Following his victory, Inoue praised Nakatani, stating, 'He was a fighter with a strong heart, and that's what makes this win so significant.' Nakatani, on the other hand, reflected on his first loss, saying, 'I was well-prepared, but the champion was exceptional.' The fight saw both boxers exchange blows, with Inoue initially gaining the upper hand due to his precise punches and smooth footwork. However, Nakatani responded strongly in the fifth round, unleashing a flurry of powerful punches. The match continued to be closely contested, with both fighters giving their all until the final bell. Despite suffering a cut over his right eye in the tenth round, Nakatani continued to fight aggressively, but ultimately, Inoue's dominance at super-bantamweight was reasserted.