Naoya Inoue is not wasting any time. Just weeks after his last title defence, the Japanese superstar looks to be lining up another fight.
Inoue made his first appearance in Saudi Arabia on December 27, where he took on David Picasso to defend his undisputed super-bantamweight crown.
The Mexican challenger started strong, but Inoue took over by the middle rounds and cruised to a unanimous decision victory.
Just weeks after his last bout, the 32-year-old fighter has already all but confirmed his next match.
Naoya Inoue to face fellow Japanese titleholder in next bout
Throughout 2025, Inoue defended his title four times, putting himself firmly in the Fighter of the Year conversation, alongside the likes of Terence Crawford.
However, despite ‘Bud’ having only fought once, it seems as though his triumph of beating Canelo Alvarez has trumped Inoue’s activity, with him getting the majority of votes.
That is not slowing down Inoue’s activity, though, as just the matter of weeks after his recent title defence, the 32-year-old’s next fight has been teased by the WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman.
Junto Nakatani, another Japanese boxing star, secured a victory on the undercard of the fight against Picasso, earning him a match against ‘The Monster’.
Nakatani’s win did not come without controversy. A lot of fans felt Hernandez had done enough to get the decision.
The undisputed super-bantamweight title bout between the two Japanese stars is anticipated to happen in early May at the Tokyo Dome in Japan, according to Sulaiman’s statement on Wednesday.
Currently undefeated with a 32-0 record, Nakatani relinquished his three bantamweight titles to move up to super-bantamweight, aiming to secure a fight against Inoue.
Is Naoya Inoue on his way to all-time greatness?
There is no questioning Inoue’s place in the sport these days. He has taken home world titles in three different divisions and done it in convincing fashion.
If he puts on a show against Nakatani, who is undefeated and moving up just for this fight, it will be another big moment on a CV already packed with them.
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