Naoya Inoue sets timeframe on blockbuster Junto Nakatani clash

Undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue has suggested that a long-mooted showdown with fellow Japanese boxing great Junto Nakatani has been provisionally agreed for 2026.

Whilst official details have yet to be announced, it appears as though fight fans won't have to wait too long to bare witness to the two Asian boxing stars lock-horns in a colossal world title clash.

Inoue picked himself up off the canvas to beat Ramon Cardenas and retain all five of his 122lbs titles in Las Vegas earlier this month, whilst Nakatani - a three-weight world champion - is set to tackle Ryosuke Nishida in a WBC and IBF bantamweight unification affair in June.

Providing he comes through that fight unscathed, and Inoue subsequently sees off WBA mandatory challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev later this year, then it appears to be all systems go for the blockbuster all-Japanese bout next spring.

Speaking to reporters at a recent press conference about a potential dust-up with Nakatani, Inoue said:

I believe it happens, we all want it to happen - maybe in May, 2026.

- Naoya Inoue

Nakatani has previously made no secret of the fact that he'd love to share the ring with a fighter he has long admired, but, in contrast to Inoue, has opted to remain coy as to when the super-fight could happen.

"I’m not setting any timeframe for it; next year, maybe further on - I really don’t know, but it’s something I’m looking forward to," he said.

"It’ll be a big fight, not just in Japan, but around the world. He’s rated as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters, and along with that, I have a lot of respect for him."

Should an agreement be reached for the pair to share the ring next spring then a December fight date could open up for Inoue, who has spoken of his ambitions of fighting four times this year.

The 32-year-old has already beaten Kim Ye-joon and American Cardenas in 2025, with his forthcoming clash with Akhmadaliev set to represent his third fight of the calendar year.

A potential fourth opponent could come in the shape of Queensberry's WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball who has risen to prominence over the past 12 months.

The Liverpudlian's promoter Frank Warren has recently revealed that discussions have taken place with Inoue's representatives regarding a potential clash between the two, with the 73-year-old even hinting at a December or January clash.

"We have spoken to them (Inoue's team) and they are up for it," Warren told Boxing News recently.

"They (Ball and Inoue) have got to win their respective fights and come through those, but if and when they do that then I am sure we will get this done.

"We are about to announce a big fight for Nick in a few weeks time, so let's get that done, then hopefully Inoue can win his fight in September too, and then we can get Inoue v Ball on either later this year or, more likely, early in 2026."

Mark Mothershaw

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