Inoue retains undisputed super bantamweight title after victory over Nakatani

Naoya Inoue Wins Unanimous Decision Against Junto Nakatani in Historic Japanese Boxing Match

Tokyo, Japan - Naoya Inoue retained his undisputed super bantamweight world title with a unanimous decision victory over compatriot Junto Nakatani at the sold-out Tokyo Dome on Saturday. The 33-year-old boxer, known as the Monster, extended his winning streak in world title bouts to 28.

Inoue defeated Nakatani by scores of 116-112, 115-113, and 116-112, with judges praising his performance throughout the 12-round contest. Inoue expressed relief at securing the win, stating that it was a different fight from his previous ones due to the pressure. He also emphasized that this victory is not the end of his boxing career.

Nakatani, who moved up a division late last year, put up a strong challenge but suffered an accidental headbutt in the 10th round, which opened a cut above his eye and stalled his momentum. Despite this setback, Nakatani praised Inoue’s performance, saying that he fought like a champion.

The match was billed as the biggest boxing match in Japanese history, with both boxers entering the bout unbeaten at 32-0. The crowd of 55,000 fans created an electric atmosphere, with both boxers exchanging smiles and fist bumps throughout the fight. Inoue’s victory improved his overall record to 33 wins, with 27 knockouts.

Inoue will look to create more legendary occasions in his career, while Nakatani will regroup and look to bounce back from this loss. The win marked a significant milestone for Inoue, cementing his status as one of the world’s top boxers.

Source: Al Jazeera