Undisputed super bantamweight king Naoya Inoue has, through his pulverising knockouts, forged a formidable reputation as a pound-for-pound star who carries dynamite in both fists.
On Tuesday, the ‘Monster’ will collide with TJ Doheny in Japan, where he has galvanized a generation of boxing fans through his pulsating performances.
Coming off a destructive sixth-round stoppage victory over Luis Nery, Naoya Inoue will enter the contest – against an opponent six years his senior – full of confidence.
While former world champion Doheny remains a seasoned campaigner in the lower division, most fans, especially those in Japan, have been clamouring for a different fight.
Chris Algieri makes bold claim on potential Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani fight
WBC world bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani has emerged as a potential threat to Inoue’s supremacy, perhaps even representing his most fearsome rival.
The 26-year-old stunned his last two opponents with emphatic finishes and scored a highlight reel knockout over Andrew Moloney last year in one of his most complete and memorable performances.
Former world champion Chris Algieri, among many others, sees Nakatani causing Inoue some serious problems should their paths cross.
On ProBox TV, he said: “[Nakatani’s] got it all. He’s got that Japanese style and mentality – that warrior spirit. Add that to [the fact that] he trains in the West – he trains over here [in America] – and he’s got a little bit of that swagger to him, he’s got a little bit of that athleticism.
“It’s a different kind of style, but he’s meld [both styles together] so well that he makes me think he’s a very dangerous opponent for Naoya Inoue.
“Then you add the fact that he’s a southpaw, and he’s really tall, and he’s got long arms.”
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How would Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani be received in Japan?
While both fighters are widely revered in their home country, it must be said that Inoue has garnered more star appeal than his counterpart.
The 31-year-old has, after all, competed and dominated at the highest level of his sport for over a decade, cementing himself as a top three pound-for-pound operator.
Additionally, there were 55,000 fans who attended his last outing at a packed-out Tokyo Dome, one of Japan’s most prestigious venues.
But equally, with his astronomical rise to stardom showing no signs of stalling, Nakatani has swiftly developed a loyal fanbase of his own, boasting a combined following of nearly 100,000 on his Instagram and X accounts.
Should the pair lock horns, it is fair to say that their clash would make for a monumental event in the land of the rising sun, where a divide may even be struck between the Japanese supporters.