Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
This is problem with boxing these days....the best don't fight each other
Inoue vs Nakatani DAZN UK, PPV/Ultimate or part of your sub?
Read in different places that this in on PPV/Ultimate, but on DAZN's website it's not locked out like other PPV's - I have the regular sub.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Inoue vs Nakatani DAZN UK, PPV/Ultimate or part of your sub?
It’s regular sub.
Benavidez-Zurdo will be ultimate.
Benavidez-Zurdo will be ultimate.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Naoya Inoue: 'I want to engrave my fighting spirit in your memory'
In the days leading up to one of the biggest fights of his career, Naoya Inoue is not searching for statements or superlatives. He is waiting.
“I've done everything I can. I'm calm and patiently waiting for the match in two days. That's how I feel,” said Inoue, translated from Japanese, at Thursday’s press conference.
As excitement builds across Japan for his contest with Junto Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, Inoue sat relaxed beside the man attempting to take his throne. He referred to the fight simply as a “match,” as if it were a game of tennis or football, not a meeting with the most dangerous opponent of his career.
That is how boxing is viewed in Japan. It is a sport, there is no need for curse words or scuffles at weigh-ins, and Inoue set an example. Although he sat just a couple short feet away from Nakatani, there was respect – far more than generally seen on US or UK shores – but a real tension between the pair.
"He seems clever, serious, and dedicated to boxing,” Inoue said of his opponent. “I need to approach the challenge with the same attitude."
All four of Inoue’s junior featherweight titles will be on the line this Saturday. While his dominance at the weight has been clear, questions have lingered over the level of opposition in recent fights, questions that make this meeting with Nakatani all the more significant.
There are also moments, however fleeting, that have hinted at vulnerability and decline. Inoue has made a habit of touching the canvas in recent times, dramatically in the second round against Ramon Cardenas last year, and has failed to record a stoppage since that contest. Inoue outpointed both Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Alan David Picasso in 2025, and failed to impress against the latter in December.
There will be 55,000 in attendance at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, and Inoue intends to remind every single one of them why they call him “The Monster”.
"I've dedicated my life to getting this far,” said Inoue, 32-0 (27 KOs). “I want to engrave my fighting spirit in your memory. I think there will be a lot of fans coming to see a fight for the first time. I want to show them the excitement and greatness of boxing, and how much energy it naturally generates when top fighters compete.
“I want to prove that I'm still Naoya Inoue."
In the days leading up to one of the biggest fights of his career, Naoya Inoue is not searching for statements or superlatives. He is waiting.
“I've done everything I can. I'm calm and patiently waiting for the match in two days. That's how I feel,” said Inoue, translated from Japanese, at Thursday’s press conference.
As excitement builds across Japan for his contest with Junto Nakatani at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, Inoue sat relaxed beside the man attempting to take his throne. He referred to the fight simply as a “match,” as if it were a game of tennis or football, not a meeting with the most dangerous opponent of his career.
That is how boxing is viewed in Japan. It is a sport, there is no need for curse words or scuffles at weigh-ins, and Inoue set an example. Although he sat just a couple short feet away from Nakatani, there was respect – far more than generally seen on US or UK shores – but a real tension between the pair.
"He seems clever, serious, and dedicated to boxing,” Inoue said of his opponent. “I need to approach the challenge with the same attitude."
All four of Inoue’s junior featherweight titles will be on the line this Saturday. While his dominance at the weight has been clear, questions have lingered over the level of opposition in recent fights, questions that make this meeting with Nakatani all the more significant.
There are also moments, however fleeting, that have hinted at vulnerability and decline. Inoue has made a habit of touching the canvas in recent times, dramatically in the second round against Ramon Cardenas last year, and has failed to record a stoppage since that contest. Inoue outpointed both Murodjon Akhmadaliev and Alan David Picasso in 2025, and failed to impress against the latter in December.
There will be 55,000 in attendance at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday, and Inoue intends to remind every single one of them why they call him “The Monster”.
"I've dedicated my life to getting this far,” said Inoue, 32-0 (27 KOs). “I want to engrave my fighting spirit in your memory. I think there will be a lot of fans coming to see a fight for the first time. I want to show them the excitement and greatness of boxing, and how much energy it naturally generates when top fighters compete.
“I want to prove that I'm still Naoya Inoue."
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Junto Nakatani ready to write his own story against Naoya Inoue
While the spotlight in Tokyo has long belonged to Naoya Inoue, for Junto Nakatani, Saturday is about his own story.
“May 2nd will be a day when everything I've built up in my life will come together,” said Nakatani, translated from Japanese, at Thursday’s press conference.
Fifty-five-thousand will be in attendance for his bout with Inoue at the Tokyo Dome this Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Nakatani is not the star of the show, most will be there to witness “The Monster” Inoue in action, but for Nakatani it is about adding to his already impressive title collection.
“Not many boxers get to stand in a place like this,” the 28-year-old said. “It was a fun and fulfilling training camp. On May 2nd, I want to show everyone Junto Nakatani's story and win.”
That story now embarks on its toughest chapter. Across the ring will stand one of the finest fighters in the sport today, the pound-for-pound star and undisputed junior featherweight champion. Nakatani’s trainer Rudy Hernandez revealed his man has trained accordingly.
“He has been training for two and a half months,” said Hernandez. “But he understands he is fighting one of the greatest fighters of this generation. He’ll be ready.”
Preparation, by all accounts, has gone to plan.
“Weight adjustment is going smoothly,” Nakatani, 32-0 (24 KOs), said. “I'm in the stage of losing a few hundred grams in preparation for tomorrow's weigh-in.”
There was no sense of panic in Nakatani. No sign of a fighter overwhelmed by the huge task in front of him.
“My motivation is to see how many people will be moved by what one boxer has built up in the ring,” he said.
And when asked what he hopes to prove, Nakatani answered with one word: “Strength.”
While the spotlight in Tokyo has long belonged to Naoya Inoue, for Junto Nakatani, Saturday is about his own story.
“May 2nd will be a day when everything I've built up in my life will come together,” said Nakatani, translated from Japanese, at Thursday’s press conference.
Fifty-five-thousand will be in attendance for his bout with Inoue at the Tokyo Dome this Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Nakatani is not the star of the show, most will be there to witness “The Monster” Inoue in action, but for Nakatani it is about adding to his already impressive title collection.
“Not many boxers get to stand in a place like this,” the 28-year-old said. “It was a fun and fulfilling training camp. On May 2nd, I want to show everyone Junto Nakatani's story and win.”
That story now embarks on its toughest chapter. Across the ring will stand one of the finest fighters in the sport today, the pound-for-pound star and undisputed junior featherweight champion. Nakatani’s trainer Rudy Hernandez revealed his man has trained accordingly.
“He has been training for two and a half months,” said Hernandez. “But he understands he is fighting one of the greatest fighters of this generation. He’ll be ready.”
Preparation, by all accounts, has gone to plan.
“Weight adjustment is going smoothly,” Nakatani, 32-0 (24 KOs), said. “I'm in the stage of losing a few hundred grams in preparation for tomorrow's weigh-in.”
There was no sense of panic in Nakatani. No sign of a fighter overwhelmed by the huge task in front of him.
“My motivation is to see how many people will be moved by what one boxer has built up in the ring,” he said.
And when asked what he hopes to prove, Nakatani answered with one word: “Strength.”
Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
This and then Walker v Eggington on the normal DAZN sub. What a time to be a boxing fan, esp with Skye Nicolson on yesterday along with Teremoana belting someone into the middle of next week.
I'm saving my PPV money for Wardley v DDD though.
I'm saving my PPV money for Wardley v DDD though.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Literally.. afternoon boxing, evening boxing, and then daft o'clock boxing
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Press conference quotes: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani
It was all business at the Tokyo Dome Hotel on Thursday, as the build-up to Japan's long-awaited superfight continues.
Undisputed and Ring junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue and challenger Junto Nakatani met at the final press conference preceding Saturday's thunderous collision at the Tokyo Dome.
Sitting less than two feet away from his opponent, Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) maintained his cool exterior. Still, there was an undercurrent of intensity you rarely see from the Japanese hero during these kinds of formal media events.
The stakes are heightened, with 55,000 fans ready to pack a sold-out indoor arena for the biggest event in Japanese boxing history.
"I've done everything I have to do," said Inoue to the assembled media via a translator. "I'm now calm and very skilled, getting ready for May 2.
"[Nakatani] is a clever, smart, very straightforward, hardworking guy. He's a great fighter. I need to have a mentality like his to get in the ring against him. I've given everything to be ready. Keep your eyes open and don't blink.
"A lot of people will be coming to see boxing for the first time, so it would be good if I could show them how great boxing is. I'll show them Naoya Inoue and prove that I'm still great."
Nakatani, rated No. 3 by The Ring at 122 pounds, is also 32-0 and has 24 KOs. Like Inoue, "Big Bang" is already considered one of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the world today, but this is the bout he's been waiting for.
The 28-year-old southpaw debuted in this weight class in December, scoring a hard-fought 12-round unanimous decision over Mexico's Sebastian Hernandez on the Inoue vs. Picasso undercard in Riyadh.
"Weight control is good," said a confident-looking Nakatani. "I am ready for tomorrow's weigh-in and will make [122 pounds]. I think I'm in great condition.
"I am very grateful [to be here]. I know that not many professional boxers have the chance to stand on this stage. On May 2, Junto Nakatani's story will be revealed. I'm looking forward to this fight. I will show you guys what I have within me and it will be super-cool if people are touched by this fight."
Neither fighter conducted one-on-one interviews nor took part in media scrums. Talking was kept to a minimum, with the tension in the room palpable as the hours tick away to one of the best possible matchups in world boxing.
Inoue is a -400 favorite, and Nakatani is a +350 underdog.
While those odds are long in the champion's favor, they're closer than what we've seen recently when Inoue has been fighting. For the first time in a long time, there's jeopardy for "The Monster" because this opponent has elite-level skills and the punching power to turn out his lights.
Nakatani is all too aware of the task ahead and looks to be in excellent fighting shape. Perhaps the challenger’s trainer, Rudy Hernandez, said it best when asked if his fighter is ready for the biggest fight of his life.
"Of course, he's ready," said Hernandez with a smile. "He knows he's fighting one of the greatest fighters of his generation."
It was all business at the Tokyo Dome Hotel on Thursday, as the build-up to Japan's long-awaited superfight continues.
Undisputed and Ring junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue and challenger Junto Nakatani met at the final press conference preceding Saturday's thunderous collision at the Tokyo Dome.
Sitting less than two feet away from his opponent, Inoue (32-0, 27 KOs) maintained his cool exterior. Still, there was an undercurrent of intensity you rarely see from the Japanese hero during these kinds of formal media events.
The stakes are heightened, with 55,000 fans ready to pack a sold-out indoor arena for the biggest event in Japanese boxing history.
"I've done everything I have to do," said Inoue to the assembled media via a translator. "I'm now calm and very skilled, getting ready for May 2.
"[Nakatani] is a clever, smart, very straightforward, hardworking guy. He's a great fighter. I need to have a mentality like his to get in the ring against him. I've given everything to be ready. Keep your eyes open and don't blink.
"A lot of people will be coming to see boxing for the first time, so it would be good if I could show them how great boxing is. I'll show them Naoya Inoue and prove that I'm still great."
Nakatani, rated No. 3 by The Ring at 122 pounds, is also 32-0 and has 24 KOs. Like Inoue, "Big Bang" is already considered one of the finest pound-for-pound fighters in the world today, but this is the bout he's been waiting for.
The 28-year-old southpaw debuted in this weight class in December, scoring a hard-fought 12-round unanimous decision over Mexico's Sebastian Hernandez on the Inoue vs. Picasso undercard in Riyadh.
"Weight control is good," said a confident-looking Nakatani. "I am ready for tomorrow's weigh-in and will make [122 pounds]. I think I'm in great condition.
"I am very grateful [to be here]. I know that not many professional boxers have the chance to stand on this stage. On May 2, Junto Nakatani's story will be revealed. I'm looking forward to this fight. I will show you guys what I have within me and it will be super-cool if people are touched by this fight."
Neither fighter conducted one-on-one interviews nor took part in media scrums. Talking was kept to a minimum, with the tension in the room palpable as the hours tick away to one of the best possible matchups in world boxing.
Inoue is a -400 favorite, and Nakatani is a +350 underdog.
While those odds are long in the champion's favor, they're closer than what we've seen recently when Inoue has been fighting. For the first time in a long time, there's jeopardy for "The Monster" because this opponent has elite-level skills and the punching power to turn out his lights.
Nakatani is all too aware of the task ahead and looks to be in excellent fighting shape. Perhaps the challenger’s trainer, Rudy Hernandez, said it best when asked if his fighter is ready for the biggest fight of his life.
"Of course, he's ready," said Hernandez with a smile. "He knows he's fighting one of the greatest fighters of his generation."
Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
What a fight!
Saturday morning I'll wake up to watch West Ham spank Brentford then look for highlights of this fight.
Hopefully I can avoid the result until then.
Biggest Asian fight since Godzilla fought someone else who was also from Asia
Saturday morning I'll wake up to watch West Ham spank Brentford then look for highlights of this fight.
Hopefully I can avoid the result until then.
Biggest Asian fight since Godzilla fought someone else who was also from Asia
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keithmoonhangover
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
I've taken a day off work just to watch this fight. It's fight of the year foe me.
Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
I think it'll deliver. The biggest fight of each man's career. The biggest fight in the history of Japan without question. A battle of unbeatens. A battle of 2 long reigning, multi division Champions. 2 men that come from a Warrior spirit which will almost guarantee that even should they lose, it won't be without giving every ounce they had to give first.keithmoonhangover wrote: ↑30 Apr 2026, 14:30 I've taken a day off work just to watch this fight. It's fight of the year foe me.
It's hard to imagine anything, but an amazing fight here.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani weigh-in results:
Naoya Inoue - 121.9 lbs Junto Nakatani - 121.5 lbs
All set for their Ring and undisputed junior featherweight title fight in Tokyo, live on DAZN 
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bmw hector
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Inoue and Nakatani are expected to be in the ring for Saturday's main event at approximately 1pm BST, which is 9pm local time. That is 8am ET and 5am PT in the United States. The undercard is set to get underway at 8am BST, 4pm JST, 3am ET and 12am PT.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Full weigh-in results are as follows:
Junior bantamweight (undisputed title) – 12 rounds
Naoya Inoue (55.3kg / 121.92lbs) vs Junto Nakatani (55.1kg / 121.47lbs)
Bantamweight (WBC title) – 12 rounds
Takuma Inoue (53.4kg / 117.73lbs) vs Kazuto Ioka (53.5kg / 117.95lbs)
Welterweight – 10 rounds
Sora Tanaka (66.5kg / 146.61lbs) vs Jin Sasaki (66.5kg / 146.61lbs)
Bantamweight – eight rounds
Yoshiki Takei (55.2kg / 121.7lbs) vs DeKang Wang (55.2kg / 121.7lbs)
Junior bantamweight (undisputed title) – 12 rounds
Naoya Inoue (55.3kg / 121.92lbs) vs Junto Nakatani (55.1kg / 121.47lbs)
Bantamweight (WBC title) – 12 rounds
Takuma Inoue (53.4kg / 117.73lbs) vs Kazuto Ioka (53.5kg / 117.95lbs)
Welterweight – 10 rounds
Sora Tanaka (66.5kg / 146.61lbs) vs Jin Sasaki (66.5kg / 146.61lbs)
Bantamweight – eight rounds
Yoshiki Takei (55.2kg / 121.7lbs) vs DeKang Wang (55.2kg / 121.7lbs)
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Gran Hermano
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Have a feeling this might be like Crawford v Spence with Inoue breaking Nakatani down and stopping him middle rounds
Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Please assist the hard of thinking. Is this on UK TV Saturday or Sunday lunchtime? I'm confused!
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Ruthless-RKO
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
So it begins, a mammoth day of brilliant fights. This is what it's all about.
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Ruthless-RKO
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Re: Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani | DAZN - 2 May 2026
Junto Nakatani is set to have surgery Thursday in Japan to repair a fractured left orbital bone that he suffered during his loss to Naoya Inoue, Nakatani’s trainer, Rudy Hernandez, tells @ringmagazine. Nakatani is expected to resume training in 3-4 months.