Naoya Inoue Outclasses Murodjon Akhmadaliev to Retain The Ring Title

Early Feel-Out, Then Inoue Takes Over

The opening rounds were tense and cagey, with Inoue establishing his jab and quick body work while Akhmadaliev tried to settle into his counterpunching rhythm. But by Round 3, “The Monster” announced himself with a crushing right hand that snapped Akhmadaliev’s head back and set the tone for the night.

While Akhmadaliev showed flashes of offense particularly in the fourth with some backhand counters he struggled to keep pace with Inoue’s speed and timing. Each time the Uzbek contender opened up, Inoue responded with clean, authoritative combinations.

Middle-Round Domination

The champion’s control became absolute by the middle rounds. He peppered Akhmadaliev with pinpoint shots, mixing in vicious body bursts that forced his opponent onto the defensive. When Akhmadaliev finally managed to pin Inoue to the ropes in the sixth and unload, the crowd gasped only for Inoue to immediately return fire with snapping two-and three-punch salvos that drove him backward.

By the ninth, Inoue was putting on a clinic. A perfectly timed counter uppercut highlighted a round where he landed at will, punishing Akhmadaliev without overextending.

Closing the Show

Akhmadaliev dug deep in the 10th, managing to steal a round on activity, but it was far too little, too late. Inoue closed strong, darting in and out, landing clean, and leaving the challenger unable to muster a meaningful response.

The final bell confirmed what everyone watching already knew: Inoue had fought a smart, disciplined fight and was never in serious danger.

Nakatani Awaits

At 31-0 (27 KOs), Inoue has now effectively cleaned out the junior featherweight division. The lone remaining blockbuster lies in a matchup with fellow Japanese pound-for-pound star Junto Nakatani, who was seated ringside in Nagoya.

Nakatani, a three-weight champion who recently vacated two bantamweight belts, has declared his intention to conquer 122 pounds. A showdown with Inoue is not only the biggest fight in Japan’s history but also one of the most compelling global clashes in boxing today.

The two could collide as early as 2026, in a bout that would pit Inoue’s all-around brilliance against Nakatani’s size, southpaw stance, and equally world-class pedigree.