TLDR
- Naoya Inoue will fight Junto Nakatani on May 2 at Tokyo Dome for the undisputed super-bantamweight title
- Inoue revealed he wants two more fights at 122 pounds before moving to featherweight, including one he has ‘wanted to do’
- Terence Crawford called the Inoue-Nakatani fight a ’50-50′ matchup and confirmed he will attend ringside in Tokyo
- Tim Bradley believes Nakatani is the one fighter in the lower weight classes who can defeat Inoue
- The winner is expected to claim the number one pound-for-pound spot after Crawford’s retirement and Usyk’s kickboxing crossover
Sources: boxingnewsonline.net | boxingnewsonline.net | boxingnews.com
Naoya Inoue has revealed his plans for two more fights at super-bantamweight before attempting to become a five-division world champion at featherweight. The undefeated Japanese star made the announcement during a TikTok live session, hinting at a mystery opponent he has wanted to face for some time.
“I think featherweight will be my final challenge,” Inoue said according to Yahoo Japan. “After the Nakatani fight, and one other fight I’ve wanted to do, my last challenge will be in featherweight.”
Inoue will first defend his undisputed 122-pound title against fellow Japanese superstar Junto Nakatani on May 2 at the Tokyo Dome. The fight is being called the biggest in Japanese boxing history.
Bradley and Crawford Weigh In
Hall of Fame boxer Tim Bradley believes Nakatani presents the toughest challenge of Inoue’s career. Speaking to ProBoxTV, Bradley said Nakatani has everything needed to defeat “The Monster.”
“This is the guy. This is the one guy that I believe in the lower classes has everything it takes to beat Inoue,” Bradley stated.
š„ Naoya Inoue reveals he plans two more fights at super-bantamweight before moving to featherweight, telling fans "after the Nakatani fight, and one other fight I've wanted to do, my last challenge will be in featherweight." pic.twitter.com/EXqVT2ozxg
— Visit NoSmokeBoxing.com š„ (@NoSmokeBoxing) April 7, 2026
Retired pound-for-pound great Terence Crawford also shared his assessment of the matchup. Crawford labeled the fight a “50-50” contest and confirmed he will be ringside in Tokyo to watch the two champions clash.
Crawford pointed to Nakatani’s physical advantages as key factors. The challenger’s height, reach, and deceptive power make this Inoue’s most dangerous fight to date, according to Crawford.
Pound-for-Pound Implications
The winner is expected to claim the top spot in The Ring magazine’s pound-for-pound rankings. Crawford retired in December after defeating Canelo Alvarez in 2025, while Oleksandr Usyk is facing criticism for his upcoming kickboxing bout against Rico Verhoeven.
Inoue enters as the heavy betting favorite despite the respect shown by boxing experts. The 33-year-old has become undisputed champion in both bantamweight and super-bantamweight while remaining undefeated throughout his career.
Nakatani has won world titles in three divisionsāflyweight, super-flyweight, and bantamweight. A victory would make him a four-division champion and match one of Inoue’s major accomplishments.
Some questions remain about Nakatani’s readiness at 122 pounds. His recent super-bantamweight debut saw him earn a controversial win over Sebastian Hernandez, leading some to wonder if he has fully adjusted to the weight class.
Fans are now speculating about Inoue’s mystery second fight at super-bantamweight. One popular theory involves unified super-flyweight champion Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, who is being discussed for a bantamweight title shot.
If Rodriguez wins a bantamweight belt, he could potentially move up to challenge Inoue at 122 pounds. This would need to happen before Inoue moves to featherweight and out of Rodriguez’s weight range.
Inoue made clear he will not rush to featherweight. He plans to decide on an opponent from whoever holds the 126-pound titles when he is ready to move up.
The May 2 showdown at Tokyo Dome will be Inoue’s seventh defense of his undisputed super-bantamweight championship. Major boxing figures from around the world are expected to attend the event in person.
