Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani shake hands on 2026 clash in Tokyo

Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani will clash in Tokyo "one from now"

Japanese megastars Naoya Inoue (29-0, 26 KOs) and Junto Nakatani (30-0, 23 KOs) have verbally agreed to fight in 2026.

The two champions who have conquered seven weight classes between them met at the Japanese Boxing Commission awards ceremony on March 31.

Four-weight titlist Inoue laid down the gauntlet by offering Nakatani to, "Liven up Japanese boxing [and fight me] at the Tokyo Dome on year from now".

Three-division champ Nakatani instantly replied, "Let's do it!"

The 31-year-old "Monster" will kick off his 2025 campaign against Ramon Cardenas on May 4 in Las Vegas. Then, he clashes with his WBA mandatory Murodjon Akhmadaliev on September 14 in Tokyo.

"Big Bang" Nakatani has only just fought in February, knocking out David Cuellar in three rounds in a defence of his WBC bantamweight crown. The southpaw is looking for unification fights next.