Inoue vs Nakatani LIVE!
Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani kicked off a bumper weekend of boxing in Tokyo on Saturday. A sold-out 55,000-capacity crowd at the Tokyo Dome watched arguably the biggest bout in Japanese history that saw two undefeated 32-0 superstars go head to head for the undisputed super-bantamweight world championship. It was one of the most hotly anticipated showdowns of the year and came before David Benavidez rises to challenge for Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez’s cruiserweight titles in Las Vegas, with Conah Walker and Sam Eggington also in action in the UK.
But the headline attraction was in East Asia, where Inoue successfully defended his four belts in the 122-pound division for the seventh time in a thrilling super fight. ‘The Monster’, one of the sport’s modern pound-for-pound greats and most formidable knockout kings, added another exceptional chapter to his remarkable legacy on home soil, handing a first professional loss to three-weight world champion Nakatani, who started too slowly and then saw his rousing comeback attempts halted by a nasty cut.
Naoya’s younger brother Takuma Inoue successfully defended his WBC bantamweight title for the first time with a dominant victory against Kazuto Ioka to begin the main card, while Yoshiki Takei beat DeKang Wang after Jin Sasaki defeated Sora Tanaka. Follow Inoue vs Nakatani reaction live below!
Inoue vs Nakatani results
Live updates
Junto Nakatani ring walk
A big main event means Michael Buffer on the mic and he’s introducing Junto Nakatani first as a hush of anticipation and excitement falls around the Tokyo Dome.
Both Inoue and Nakatani are wearing robes of gold.
Here comes the challenger...
Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani up next
Just the main event to come now at a sold-out Tokyo Dome, where 55,000 people are in attendance today.
Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani for the undisputed super-bantamweight championship of the world is up next.
One of the most keenly anticipated fights of 2026 and arguably the biggest bout in the history of boxing in Japan is finally upon us.
You won’t want to miss it!
Yoshiki Takei beats DeKang Wang by majority decision
To the scorecards we go once more in Tokyo and it’s a majority decision win for Yoshiki Takei in the end.
Two judges have it 77-75 and 78-74 in his favour, while a third has it level at 76-76.
Takei’s disappointment and frustration with his performance is evident during his post-fight interview.
He has to be much better than that to make any impact up at 122 pounds.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 8
Takei has won this fight, but it’s been a far tougher test than anticipated against an opponent who has not fought for two years.
He’s shown flashes of real quality, but his defence is non-existent and he’s been far too easy to hit all night.
He has tired way too quickly at times and appeared to panic a lot under pressure and after being hurt.
This looked like a straightforward assignment on his super-bantamweight debut after losing the WBO bantamweight world title last year, but it’s been anything but.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 7
More entertaining action in the penultimate round of this super- bantamweight eight-rounder.
Takei shows his skills, speed and variety again, but again he is absolutely not having things all his own way against the durable Wang, who he cannot seem to hurt.
Wang will not be deterred, walking through everything and letting his hands go, frequently catching Takei with some heavy shots.
Takei is relying on his speed to get him out of range, but it’s not working tonight.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 6
Takei’s best period of the fight so far in the early stages of the sixth.
He raises the levels massively to put Wang under serious pressure, his hands a blur as he thunders through the fierce flurries and combinations.
But this is some effort - particularly given his long absence from the ring - from Wang, who takes the punishment, stays upright and quickly fights fire with fire.
Takei is just way too easy to hit and has his head snapped back again.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 5
A cracking fifth round with some furious exchanges as both fighters let the shots fly.
Takei counters well repeatedly and then exacts some pressure of his own, delivering some emphatic punches including a jolting uppercut.
But here comes Wang again before the bell, unloading with fury with Takei against the ropes.
A decent scrap this so far.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 4
A good bounce back from Takei at the start of the fourth as he begins to find some momentum and rhythm.
But the tempo dips again quickly and Wang takes advantage, letting his hands go as he charges forward on the front foot once more.
Takei keeps needing to hold on after getting hit. He doesn’t look comfortable.
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 3
A terrific and all-action third round from Wang, who ramps up his aggressive approach significantly.
He repeatedly walks down and traps Takei, having him in trouble and needing to hold on in the corner as some walloping short shots rain down.
He looked hurt there...
Yoshiki Takei vs DeKang Wang - Round 2
A game start by Wang, who isn’t here simply to make up the numbers.
He’s aggressive and on the front foot, but he doesn’t look quick or agile enough to put Takei under proper pressure.
The home fighter is on his feet and moving around the ring sprightly, picking his moments and flurries.
But he’s yet to properly get going heading into the third.