2回に井岡から先制のダウンを奪った井上㊧

The bout began with an expected battle of left jabs, which Inoue controlled to seize the initiative. Ioka pressured Inoue toward the ropes and unleashed combinations, but lacked the hand speed to land effectively as Inoue avoided the attacks with ease.

A stunning moment arrived in the second round. Inoue extended a right straight that snapped Ioka’s head back, followed by a counter right landed while backing against the ropes. A subsequent flurry sent Ioka to the canvas.

Ioka regained his feet and survived until the bell, but in the third round, Inoue forced him down again with a signature right uppercut. Despite the dominance, Inoue remained disciplined, drawing Ioka in to land counters and moving laterally to evade Ioka’s flurries.

The open scoring after four rounds showed Inoue leading 39-35, 39-35, and 40-34.

Ioka attempted to close the distance, targeting the body with left hooks following a right straight, but Inoue utilised weaving and lateral movement to escape, returning fire with left jabs and right uppercuts. In the seventh, Inoue landed a right uppercut followed by a left hook, before connecting with successive clean right uppercuts. Ioka refused to back down and fired back with combinations, but Inoue evaded them with composure.

By the end of the eighth round, the scores widened to 79-71, 79-71, and 80-70 in favour of Inoue.

In the tenth, Inoue lured Ioka in and landed precise jabs and right straights, causing Ioka to bleed from the nose. Unable to find his range with the jab or time his right hand, Ioka struggled to connect. He managed to rouse the crowd in the eleventh by pinning Inoue to the ropes and throwing a series of downward rights and left hooks, but Inoue used quick footwork to reset the distance.

In the final round, Inoue unleashed a fierce assault looking to finish the fight, but Ioka remained resilient. Continuing his sharp boxing, Inoue baited Ioka and landed a clean right uppercut-left hook combination. He maintained control until the final bell, consistently landing damaging blows.

“The tense 12 rounds went by in a flash. It was a very enjoyable fight,” the champion remarked. “I am who I am because of legends like him. I want to thank Ioka for bringing out the best in me.” When asked about his future, he reiterated his long-standing desire for a unification bout, adding, “From now on, I want to be recognised and supported as Takuma Inoue, not just as Naoya Inoue’s younger brother.”

Inoue (30) improves to 22-2 (5 KOs). Ioka (37) moves to 32-5-1 (17 KOs).

３月の試合発表会見以来の対面となった井上㊧と中谷　photo/Naoki Fukuda

Unified super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (Ohashi), set to defend his titles in the main event, stated: “I have done everything possible in preparation. I feel very calm and am simply waiting for the fight in two days.” His challenger, Junto Nakatani (M.T), widely regarded as the ultimate threat to Inoue, also reported the completion of a successful training camp. “Not many boxers have the opportunity to stand in a place like this,” Nakatani said. “I maintained a sense of gratitude and enjoyed the process throughout my camp.”

“I have dedicated my life to this May 2 fight,” Inoue added. “I want everyone to burn the image of my performance that day into their memories.”

Nakatani countered with equal resolve: “On May 2, I will demonstrate the story of Junto Nakatani and ensure I come away with the victory.”

Both men appeared to carry a deep, quiet confidence heading into the showdown.

レジェンド井岡㊨を拓真が迎えるバンタム級戦　photo/Naoki Fukuda

Promoter Hideyuki Ohashi introduced the WBC world bantamweight title bout as “the other main event,” and both champion Takuma Inoue (Ohashi) and challenger Kazuto Ioka (Shisei) indicated they have completed satisfactory training camps.

Takuma described the clash with the legendary Ioka as “a fight that genuinely excites me.” While much of the tactical focus has centered on the opening rounds, Takuma appeared genuinely eager, stating, “We won’t know how it unfolds until the bell rings. I want as many people as possible to witness it.”

Ioka remained composed, remarking: “I have adjusted my preparation by drawing on my previous experience competing at bantamweight. I intend to stay focused on my responsibilities until I step into the ring. I will seize this opportunity and show everyone the moment I achieve my fifth divisional world title.”

Tickets for the massive event, which boasts a capacity of 55,000, sold out more than a month in advance. Promoter Ohashi revealed that both Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani are receiving the highest fight purses of their careers. Furthermore, pay-per-view sales on Lemino Premium are reportedly performing well.

The official weigh-in for the biggest super-fight in Japanese history will take place tomorrow, ahead of the fateful opening bell.

井岡の挑戦を受ける拓真　photo/Naoki Fukuda

With two weeks remaining until fight night, a sharp-looking Takuma Inoue remarked, “I have maintained my focus, continuing the momentum from my last outing.” The “last time” refers to his bout against Tenshin Nasukawa (Teiken), where a mentally and physically primed Inoue delivered a superb performance to hand Nasukawa his first professional defeat. Inoue asserts that he is approaching this bout against Ioka with that same “challenger’s mindset.”

“Ioka possesses a strength that isn’t apparent from the outside. I want to enjoy that aspect once we are in the ring,” Inoue said. The contest is highly anticipated as a duel between two of Japan’s premier technicians. According to his father and trainer, Shingo Inoue, Takuma has added another dimension to his arsenal since the Nasukawa fight, and preparations are complete. “We understand the importance of the mental game for this fight,” trainer Shingo noted, as they prepare to face the legendary Ioka with Takuma once again in peak condition.

While the main event features the world super-bantamweight clash between Naoya Inoue (Ohashi) and Junto Nakatani (M.T), the Inoue-Ioka bout is also garnering significant attention. Ohashi Promotions Chairman Hideyuki Ohashi predicts a high-level battle: “I believe it will be a technical contest, but ultimately, it will come down to a test of heart.” Inoue concluded his media session by demonstrating one round of shadowboxing.

ていねいなシャドーを１Ｒ披露した井岡　photo/Naoki Fukuda

Entering his 28th world title bout, the seasoned veteran—vying for a world title in a fifth weight division—maintained his characteristic composure but admitted, “My motivation is higher than ever.” The 37-year-old Ioka expressed his mindset regarding the major stage: “Having come this far in my professional career, I am grateful to be able to challenge for such an opportunity at this point.”

Describing the champion, Takuma, as “not an opponent who can be easily defeated,” Ioka stated, “I will focus on doing exactly what I need to do.” He emphasized his desire to overcome the formidable Takuma Inoue over the historical significance of a fifth division title. During the session for the media, Ioka limited his display to shadowboxing without gloves.

“THE DAY” features the undisputed world super-bantamweight title clash between Naoya Inoue (Ohashi) and Junto Nakatani (M.T) as the main event, alongside the WBC bantamweight title fight between Inoue and Ioka, and the return of Yoshiki Takei (Ohashi). The event will be broadcast via PPV on Lemino.

The highly anticipated showdown between WBC bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue and legendary four-division world champion Kazuto Ioka has been officially confirmed for May 2 at the Tokyo Dome. Serving as a crucial co-feature on the Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani card, this battle pits the current divisional ruler against one of Japan’s most decorated veterans.

At the press conference, the air was thick with the weight of the moment. Ioka, who is aiming to become the first-ever Japanese male boxer to secure world titles in five different weight classes, showed his trademark composure: “Takuma is a high-level operator, but I am going to accomplish my goal of a five-division championship.”

Takuma Inoue, who enters the ring following a significant victory over Tenshin Nasukawa, displayed unwavering confidence in his own right. “I want everyone to watch closely to see how I break down a legend,” he stated, signaling his intent to move past the Ioka era and solidify his own status at the top of the division.

With both fighters known for their technical precision and mental fortitude, fans can expect a masterclass in tactical warfare.