Japanese boxing superstar Naoya “Monster” Inoue has revealed that he is considering moving up in weight after successfully defending his undisputed super bantamweight title via unanimous decision against fellow countryman Junto Nakatani on Saturday night, May 2, 2026, at the Tokyo Dome in Japan.
Rematch Possibility
Inoue, however, clarified that a rematch with Nakatani is not out of the question, but emphasized that it depends on what the boxing fans want. He said he will discuss the next steps with his promoter, Hideyuki Ohashi, to determine his future plans.
Given the magnitude of the main event, considered the biggest in Japanese boxing history, many believe a rematch between Inoue and Nakatani is warranted.
Uncertain Path Ahead
Inoue stated that at this point, there is no clear path regarding his next fight. With the victory, Inoue improved his record to 33-0 with 27 knockouts, while Nakatani, who suffered his first career loss, dropped to 32-1 with 24 knockouts.
