SAGAMIHARA, Japan -- One is known as “The Monster,” the other “Big Bang.” The bout between champion boxers Naoya Inoue (30-0-0, 27 KOs) and Junto Nakatani (31-0-0, 24 KOs) is already being billed as ...

Nakatani, a Rising Star in the Golden Age of Japanese Boxing, Is Determined to Knock Out Inoue SAGAMIHARA, Japan (AP) — One is known as “The Monster,” the other “Big Bang.” The bout ...

Nakatani’s father sent him to karate school when he was in third grade because he was always playing video games. He later switched to boxing, where he fared better because of the weight classes.

Sports Boxing Nakatani, a rising star in the golden age of Japanese boxing, is determined to knock out Inoue Automated narration. Learn more By The Associated Press July 8, 2025 6:00 am ...

Nakatani, a rising star in the golden age of Japanese boxing, is determined to knock out Inoue by: YURI KAGEYAMA, Associated Press Posted: Jul 8, 2025 / 06:00 AM EDT Updated: Jul 8, 2025 / 06:00 ...

Sports pundits are hailing what’s happening these days as the golden age of Japanese boxing. And this is a nation that has produced its share of Hall of Famers.

Boxing fever was hot with the packed crowd of 10,000 at the Ariake Coliseum for the WBC and IBF bantamweight unification title match between Nakatani and Ryosuke Nishida last month.