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Why Inoue vs Nakatani is the super-fight we must see in 2026
Pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue will return to action this weekend when he defends his super bantamweight titles against dangerous puncher Murodjon Akhmadaliev.
Eleven of Akhmadaliev's 14 professional wins have come inside the distance and he could pose the biggest threat to Inoue in recent times. However, Inoue reportedly has his next fight lined up already.
He is expected to face David Picasso on December 27 in Riyadh, with his fellow countryman Junto Nakatani due to feature as chief support in his first fight since moving up to super bantamweight.
A domestic showdown between Inoue and Nakatani has been tentatively pencilled in for next year. Here is why it promises to be one of the biggest fights of 2026 if it happens.
Two pound-for-pound greatsPHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images
Inoue and Nakatani have dominated the lower weight classes for some time and have rarely been pushed to their limits. Inoue has won world titles in four divisions and been the undisputed champion in two of them.
The undisputed status has eluded Nakatani, but he has still ruled three divisions and was the top name at bantamweight prior to deciding to move to 122lbs.
Inoue is currently ranked the second best pound-for-pound fighter in the world by The Ring, while Nakatani is just five places below him.
We have seen in the last 12 months how fights between top 10 pound-for-pound fighters can be thrilling affairs, with Dmitry Bivol and Artur Beterbiev delivering two modern-day classics.
The level of skill that Inoue and Nakatani possess between them would be special to witness, with fans desperate to know how a potential fight would play out.
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Knockout power
Inoue and Nakatani have technical ability in spades, but it is their knockout power that allows them to stand out from the crowd.
Their combined record stands at 61 wins and no losses, with 51 of their victories coming by way of stoppage. Inoue will fancy his chance of making that 52 against Akhmadaliev on Sunday.
Inoue has not heard the final bell since 2019, while Nakatani has not been taken the distance in any of his last five fights.
If they were to face each other, fans would be on the edge of their seats from the first round, knowing that a knockout punch could be delivered at any moment.
Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP
Contrasting styles
Another factor to add into the mix is how differently Inoue and Nakatani go about their work. Inoue boxes out of the orthodox stance and stands at only 5ft 5in tall.
He has power in either hand, but has also shown his ability to set up his shots with his boxing skills. This was on full display when he beat Stephen Fulton back in 2023. Inoue patiently manipulated Fulton's guard by targeting the body and then launched an overhand right that hurt his opponent. Fulton never recovered and the bout was waved off in the eighth round.
Meanwhile, Nakatani is a southpaw fighter who is three inches taller than Inoue and throws punches with bad intentions from the opening bell.
It is no coincidence that each of Nakatani's last five fights have ended in six rounds or fewer.
By throwing hurtful punches straight away, Nakatani does put himself in the firing line and can be caught himself. That is the price he is willing to pay to march down and take out his rivals.
He may have to adjust against a monstrous puncher like Inoue, though, and it will be fascinating to see how they cope with each other's contrasting styles.
Is Inoue vs Nakatani the best fight in boxing right now?
There are bigger commercial fights than Inoue vs Nakatani that can be made in boxing. Later tonight, Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford will face other for super middleweight supremacy, although it could be argued both men are a little past their peak years.
The same could be said of a potential clash between Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury. A trilogy bout between Bivol and Beterbiev would be must-watch, but the latter will be 41 in January, leading to questions over how much he has left.
Meanwhile, Inoue is still only 32 and Nakatani is five years his junior. The two Japanese stars have been flying the flag for their country for years and shown no signs of slowing down.
The best fighting the best while still in their prime is exactly what fans want to see, and that is why this mouthwatering showdown must be made in the next 12 months.
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