Junto Nakatani Plots a Naoya Inoue Hunt with a Hit-Free Fight Strategy

A personal gym equipped with a world-title-match-spec ring, now revealed!

The ceiling height is 5.4 meters. Inside the spacious 127.53 m² area stands a ring identical in size to those used in world title matches, with six punching bags suspended: 200 kg, 150 kg, 100 kg, 40 kg, one dedicated to uppercuts, and one mini-sized bag.

This is the private gym built by Junto Nakatani (27)—who relinquished his WBC/IBF bantamweight titles to challenge “Monster” Naoya Inoue (32). Since mid-September, on days without sparring, he has been training here. A treadmill is also installed, allowing him to run even on rainy days.

“Ever since I became a world champion, I’d thought it would be great to have my own training facility. But to make it happen—including financially—I had to clear a lot of hurdles. Now that it’s finally done, I’ve been able to create an environment where I can focus more on boxing.”

Beside Nakatani, sitting on the edge of the ring, is a four-step black staircase.

“I wanted a setup like American gyms where you climb into the ring by stairs. I conveyed that to the architect. For punching bags, my preference is heavy and firm ones. I move forward, backward, and side to side while hitting, always imagining real-fight situations and an actual opponent. I hit for six to seven rounds per session.”

Preparing for his debut at super bantamweight, Nakatani’s physique—chest, shoulders, legs—shows added mass.

“My current weight is around 65 kg.”

At 15, he headed alone to the U.S., where he learned true professional style. A reverse-import boxer, he has captured the WBO flyweight, WBO super flyweight, and WBC/IBF bantamweight belts. Now aiming for a fourth division title, he will face Inoue in May next year. His record currently stands at 31 wins, 24 by KO. Since his debut, he has always held his training camps in Los Angeles before fights, working under renowned trainer Rudy Hernandez in the place he calls his starting point.

Although Nakatani said he wanted to fight twice at super bantamweight before facing Inoue, it appears his only tune-up bout will be the December 27 fight against Sebastian Hernandez (25). The bout will be held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Inoue—31-0, 27 KOs, and the unified WBA/WBC/IBF/WBO super bantamweight champion—will headline the card, with Nakatani slated for the semifinals.

In Japan, his younger brother Ryuto supports him as a trainer. Two years his junior, he says:

“After deciding to move up to 122 pounds, my brother’s body has really grown. He had said before that he thought moving up to super bantamweight would allow him to use his abilities better, and indeed, he’s gained incredible power. During mitt work, his punches hurt my wrists and arms. His speed has increased too.”

Regarding his power increase, Nakatani explains:

“With the added weight, I can feel more pressure on the middle-finger knuckle (extensor tendon). I notice it hitting the heavy bag, during mitt work, even when shadowboxing. I’m also doing explosive training and bag work while checking footwork with a ladder. On days I train here, I move for about 20 rounds.”

Being called the underdog makes me happy

Around the same time his private gym opened, Nakatani headed to Nagoya at Inoue’s invitation. From the front row at ringside, he watched closely as the “Monster” earned a decision win over challenger Murodjon Akhmadaliev (30), a southpaw like himself.

“I watched thinking, ‘Inoue can throw punches at so many different timings.’ I naturally started imagining how I would fight him—how I’d slip shots—and my body even moved on its own in the seat (laughs). Without question, he’s the strongest opponent of my career, and this will be the fight that truly tests me.”

For Inoue as well, a fight with Nakatani is a mega-fight unlike any before. Facing an undefeated opponent from debut—after Emmanuel Rodriguez and Stephen Fulton—makes Nakatani the third such challenger. Nakatani is a genuine multi-division champion just like Inoue, and many U.S. media outlets are predicting the “Monster’s first loss.”

“Inoue moves in and out—sometimes closing distance, sometimes pulling back. In the Akhmadaliev fight, I’m sure he could have gotten the knockout if he’d wanted. I could tell he intentionally held back. He fought cautiously because he respected Akhmadaliev’s power. I saw real strength in that approach. My job is simply to surpass everything he brings.”

Some predict a Nakatani victory; others disagree.

“I’m the type who gets fired up when people say I’m the underdog—it boosts my motivation. So honestly, I’m happy to hear it. It makes me think, ‘Just watch.’ First, I’ll focus on the Hernandez fight, and once I clear that, I’ll get fully prepared for Inoue.

Before every fight, our team prepares countermeasures. Even if I hurt my hand or my eye swells shut on fight night, we prepare so that I won’t panic—we plan for worst-case scenarios. During camp, I have three phases where I push myself to the limit. Overcoming those makes me excited—like, ‘I can finally show everything I’ve prepared!’

Against Inoue, my theme will be how to avoid getting hit. I need to maximize my height and reach advantage.”

He will leave Japan in early November, and his L.A. camp will start the day after arrival. The instructions Rudy has already sent him call for mass boxing without headgear—controlled sparring, stopping punches short rather than trading blows.

“I use large 16-ounce gloves and work with lighter-weight fighters. Until I head to L.A., it’s mainly visual adjustment and defense training.”

The world is eagerly watching the upcoming clash between Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani. When the interviewer told him that this victory could mark the arrival of his era, Nakatani responded:

“My only goal is to become pound-for-pound No. 1. Nothing more. I want boxing fans to enjoy the great fights of many different fighters. I’d be happy just to be one part of that.”

To surpass the Monster—and to surpass the version of himself today—Nakatani will continue forging himself in two tiger dens, in Japan and the U.S.

(From FRIDAY, November 7, 2025 issue)