Naoya Inoue successfully defended his undisputed super-bantamweight title against Junto Nakatani in a highly anticipated Japanese boxing event. The 'Monster' Inoue retained his WBC, WBA, IBF, and WBO belts after a grueling 12 rounds, winning by scores of 116-112, 116-112, and 115-113 in front of a packed crowd of 55,000 at the Tokyo Dome. This victory marked the end of Nakatani's perfect 32-fight record, as Inoue's relentless power and precise combinations proved too much for the challenger. Inoue praised Nakatani, saying, 'He was a fighter with a strong heart, which makes this win even more significant.' Nakatani reflected on his first loss, stating, 'I was well-prepared, but the champion was exceptional.' The fight saw both fighters exchange blows, with Inoue initially taking the lead with his precise punches and smooth footwork.
Nakatani mounted a strong response in the fifth round, unleashing a flurry of powerful punches. Inoue regained control in the seventh round with hurtful right hands but was briefly stunned by Nakatani's uppercut in the ninth.
The intensity of the fight continued until the final bell, with both fighters trading power shots at close range. Despite suffering a cut over his right eye in the tenth round, Nakatani maintained his aggression, but Inoue's dominance ultimately secured his victory, reaffirming his position as a top super-bantamweight champion.