Japanese super-bantamweight contender Junto Nakatani has sensationally thrown his hat into the ring, declaring his desire to face pound-for-pound powerhouse Naoya Inoue, following the latter’s rare moment of vulnerability in his most recent bout.
Inoue, widely regarded as one of the most formidable forces in modern boxing, was momentarily humbled last time out, when he was dropped to the canvas—a rare sight for a man dubbed “The Monster.” Although he rallied to retain his WBC and WBO super-bantamweight titles in typically emphatic fashion, the knockdown has sparked fresh intrigue—and opportunity.
Enter Junto Nakatani. The undefeated former flyweight and current super-flyweight star, known for his rangy frame and laser-guided left hand, believes the timing is perfect.
“I respect Inoue-san deeply,” Nakatani told reporters in Tokyo. “But I want to test myself against the best. And now, people are starting to see he’s human after all.”
Inoue’s fall—brief though it was—came as a shock to fans and pundits alike. The four-weight world champion had previously seemed invincible, walking through elite opposition with an almost supernatural calm. The incident, though quickly erased by his trademark ferocity, has opened the door to renewed ambition among contenders.
