YOKOHAMA - Japanese boxing superstar Naoya Inoue cut a relaxed figure Monday as the undisputed super bantamweight champion opened his training to the media ahead of his blockbuster May 2 fight against compatriot Junto Nakatani at Tokyo Dome.
"The Monster" Inoue, currently on a record 27-match winning streak in world title bouts, will square off against a fellow pound-for-pound elite in Nakatani, who comes into the highly anticipated matchup with an identical 32-0 career record.
"I'm in a really good state, both mentally and physically," the 33-year-old Inoue said at his Ohashi Gym in Yokohama, where he went through a round each of shadow boxing, pad work and bag work. "I already have the fixed image of how to conquer him and I'm looking forward to it."
Inoue, who has 27 knockout wins to Nakatani's 24, welcomed his 28-year-old opponent's gym president among the onlookers. He did not hesitate in showing off his variety of punches, including body shots from low angles, which will presumably form part of his arsenal against the taller Nakatani.
"I'm in the final stage with my counterplan," said Inoue, who stands 165 centimeters, some 8 cm shorter than Nakatani. "I'm ready to deal with however he starts the bout and whatever fighting style he comes up with."
It will be the first Tokyo Dome outing for Inoue since his sixth-round technical knockout win over Luis Nery of Mexico in 2024. Tickets are already sold out for the monumental clash, dubbed by his gym president Hideyuki Ohashi as "the biggest in Japanese boxing history."
While four-division champion Inoue is fully aware of the significance of the occasion, the boxing phenomenon is keeping his perspective ahead of what will be his ninth fight in the division and Nakatani's second.
"I have very strong feelings not to lose, but it's just a passing point in my career," Inoue said. "I want to clear the hurdle with a wonderful performance."
