Naoya “The Monster” Inoue puts his undisputed super-bantamweight championship on the line against fellow unbeaten Japanese star Junto “Big Bang” Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday 2 May 2026. With a combined record of 64-0, this is the biggest boxing match in Japanese history, pitting two of the sport’s pound-for-pound elite against each other in a fight that has already sold out all 55,000 seats. Inoue defends the WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring titles in what promises to be a defining night for the super-bantamweight division.
What is Inoue vs Nakatani?
This is an undisputed super-bantamweight (122 lbs / junior featherweight) championship bout, scheduled for 12 rounds. Naoya Inoue, the reigning undisputed champion, makes a voluntary defence against mandatory challenger Junto Nakatani, who moves up from bantamweight to challenge for all four major belts simultaneously.
The fight represents a rare collision between two undefeated, pound-for-pound ranked fighters from the same country. Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) sits at No. 2 on ESPN’s pound-for-pound list, while Nakatani (32-0, 24 KOs) is ranked No. 6. Both men are multi-division world champions with devastating knockout power, and their meeting at the Tokyo Dome has drawn comparisons with the great Japanese sporting events of the past.
The undercard features another high-profile all-Japanese clash, with Inoue’s younger brother Takuma defending his WBC bantamweight title against former four-division champion Kazuto Ioka.
When is Inoue vs Nakatani?
The fight takes place on Saturday 2 May 2026, during Japan’s Golden Week holiday. The main card is expected to begin at approximately 4:00 pm JST (8:00 am BST / 3:00 am ET / 12:00 am PT), with the main event ringwalks anticipated around 5:00 pm JST (1:00 pm BST / 8:00 am ET / 5:00 am PT). Timings are subject to change depending on how the undercard progresses.
Where is Inoue vs Nakatani?
The fight takes place at the Tokyo Dome in Bunkyō, Tokyo, Japan. The iconic domed stadium, sometimes known as “The Big Egg”, has a maximum capacity of 55,000 for boxing events and is one of Japan’s most famous sporting venues. Opened in 1988, the Tokyo Dome has hosted some of boxing’s most memorable nights, including Mike Tyson’s shock defeat to James “Buster” Douglas in February 1990, widely regarded as one of the greatest upsets in sporting history.
More recently, Inoue himself headlined at the Tokyo Dome in May 2024, stopping Luis Nery in six rounds to defend his undisputed super-bantamweight titles in the first major boxing event at the venue in over two decades. That event drew approximately 40,000 fans, but Inoue vs Nakatani has surpassed it significantly, with all 55,000 tickets selling out within hours of going on sale via lottery.
Key Contenders
Naoya Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) is widely considered one of the finest fighters of his generation. The 32-year-old from Zama, Kanagawa Prefecture, turned professional in 2012 and has won world titles in four weight divisions: light flyweight (WBC), super flyweight (WBO), bantamweight (undisputed), and super-bantamweight (undisputed). He is one of only three male boxers in history to hold undisputed championships in two weight classes during the four-belt era. Inoue’s knockout ratio of 84% speaks to his extraordinary punching power, and he has stopped elite opponents including Nonito Donaire, Stephen Fulton Jr, Marlon Tapales, and Luis Nery. His most recent outing, a unanimous decision over Alan David Picasso in December 2025, was a rare points victory that raised questions about whether the champion is showing any signs of decline at 122 lbs.
Junto Nakatani (32-0, 24 KOs) is a 28-year-old three-division world champion who has risen rapidly through the ranks to establish himself as one of boxing’s most exciting fighters. Nakatani won the WBO flyweight title in 2020, added the WBO super-flyweight crown by knocking out Andrew Moloney in 2023, and then captured the WBC bantamweight belt with a sixth-round stoppage of Alexandro Santiago in 2024. He unified the WBC and IBF bantamweight titles by stopping Ryosuke Nishida in June 2025, also claiming The Ring magazine championship at 118 lbs. Nakatani vacated his bantamweight belts to move up and challenge Inoue, seeking to become a four-division champion in the process. His 75% knockout ratio and aggressive, come-forward style make him a genuine threat.
While Inoue enters as the established champion and betting favourite, Nakatani’s youth, power, and willingness to engage make this one of the most compelling matchups in world boxing. Both fighters are at or near career-best form, and neither has ever tasted defeat.
How to Watch
Japan: The fight will be broadcast live on Lemino pay-per-view, the primary domestic broadcaster for major Japanese boxing events. Specific PPV pricing for this event is to be confirmed, though previous Inoue fights on Lemino have been priced around ¥5,500.
United Kingdom: DAZN is expected to carry the fight, either as part of the standard subscription or as a pay-per-view event. A DAZN monthly subscription costs £25.99, while the annual plan is £119.99 per year. The DAZN Ultimate tier (£24.99/month) includes all PPV events.
United States: DAZN is the most likely platform for US viewers. A standard monthly subscription is $30.99, with annual plans available at $224.99/year. The Ultimate tier at $44.99/month includes PPV events. Given the early morning start time on the US East Coast (approximately 3:00 am ET for the main card), the fight will suit dedicated boxing fans willing to set an early alarm.
Rest of World: DAZN operates in over 200 countries and territories, making it the primary international platform for this fight. Check local DAZN availability for specific regional coverage.
History and Records
This fight continues a golden era for Japanese boxing. Naoya Inoue has been the standard-bearer, becoming the undisputed bantamweight champion in December 2022 when he stopped Paul Butler in the 11th round, the first man to hold all four major belts at 118 lbs since the four-belt era began. He replicated the feat at super-bantamweight, unifying the division by defeating Marlon Tapales in December 2023.
Inoue’s career highlights include his devastating first-round knockout of Juan Carlos Payano in 2018, which won The Ring magazine Knockout of the Year award, and his thrilling victory over Nonito Donaire in the 2019 World Boxing Super Series bantamweight final, a fight widely regarded as one of the best of the decade. The rematch in 2022 saw Inoue stop Donaire in two rounds.
Nakatani, meanwhile, has built his own remarkable legacy in a shorter timeframe. Since winning his first world title in 2020, he has compiled an extraordinary run of stoppage victories and become one of the most avoided fighters in the lower weight classes. His decision to vacate his bantamweight titles and move straight to an undisputed championship fight is a bold move that has captured the imagination of boxing fans worldwide.
The Tokyo Dome itself holds a special place in boxing history. Beyond the Tyson-Douglas upset in 1990, it hosted Tyson’s successful defence against Tony Tubbs in 1988. Inoue’s 2024 victory over Nery marked the venue’s return to major boxing after more than 20 years, and this event cements the Tokyo Dome as the home of Japan’s biggest boxing nights.
Tickets and Attendance
All 55,000 tickets for Inoue vs Nakatani have sold out. Tickets were distributed via a lottery system, reflecting the enormous demand for this fight. Prices ranged from ¥11,000 (approximately £55 / $70) for Reserved C seats to ¥330,000 (approximately £1,650 / $2,100) for Arena VIP seats. Mid-range options included Stand S seats at ¥110,000 and Arena RS seats at ¥165,000.
For fans who missed the initial allocation, secondary market tickets are available through platforms such as StubHub, though prices are significantly inflated. The official ticket partner for the event is TicketMe Japan.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does Inoue vs Nakatani start?
The main card begins on Saturday 2 May 2026 at approximately 4:00 pm JST (8:00 am BST / 3:00 am ET). The main event ringwalks are expected around 5:00 pm JST (1:00 pm BST / 8:00 am ET).
Where is Inoue vs Nakatani being held?
The fight takes place at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, with a capacity of 55,000 for this event.
How can I watch Inoue vs Nakatani?
The fight airs live on Lemino PPV in Japan and is expected to be available on DAZN internationally, including in the UK and US.
Who won the last Inoue fight?
Inoue defeated Alan David Picasso by unanimous decision in December 2025, retaining his undisputed super-bantamweight titles.
What titles are on the line?
All four major super-bantamweight world titles are at stake: the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO belts, along with The Ring magazine championship. This is an undisputed championship fight.