Why Naoya Inoue vs Junto Nakatani is bigger than you could possibly imagine

Inoue is five years older at 33, and first won a world title when he was 21 – at light-flyweight in just his sixth fight; it was the start of the renaissance. Since then, Inoue has won world titles at super-flyweight, bantamweight and now all four belts at super-bantamweight. He has won 27 world title fights and 23 ended fast.

In the current top 15 at flyweight, super-flyweight, bantamweight and super-bantamweight, there are probably 25 Japanese boxers in total, including Takuma Inoue, the baby brother of Naoya, who defends his WBC bantamweight title against Kazuto Ioka on Saturday’s undercard. That is a lot of quality spread over just 10lb.

Nakatani has held world titles at three weights so far, and won 10 world title fights during his perfect career. It is hard to imagine a boxer at any weight being as dominant as Nakatani and still having to compete in the stunning shadow of Inoue’s brilliance. Nakatani without Inoue would be a solo, global star.

Nakatani survived considerable damage to edge past Sebastian Hernandez Reyes in December (Getty)

In many ways, an Inoue defeat would be refreshing, the rematch ridiculous, and – perhaps –Nakatani’s timing is just right.

Inoue has been taken the full 12-round distance in both of his last fights; he won about 10 of the 12 rounds against Murodjon Akhmadaliev and all 12 against David Picasso in Riyadh last December. However, both Akhmadaliev and Picasso are exceptional fighters.

Inoue has also been linked with a super-fight against Jesse Rodriguez, unbeaten now in 23 with 16 ending in short order, and a multiple-time world champion at lower weights; there is a long and distinguished list of great champions losing when they had their eyes firmly set on the riches and glory of another big fight.

The same night that Nakatani beat Reyes, Inoue dominated David Picasso (Getty)

Nakatani against Inoue in front of the silent, sold-out Tokyo crowd is one of modern boxing’s dream fights. The winner will be supreme ruler in a booming business that is thriving a long, long way from any of the Las Vegas grandeur of old and the great stadium nights of recent years in British rings.

In Japan they have called the fight “The Day”, and it is hard to back against Inoue and the inevitable bowing of 55,000 adoring fans at the end.