Naoya Inoue: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

Despite standing just five-foot-four, Naoya Inoue stands atop Ring Magazine's pound-for-pound rankings and is therefore regarded as the best boxer in the world, regardless of weight class.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 28

Top Five Opponents For Sam Goodman After Winning The IBF Interim Junior Featherweight Title

What is next for Sam Goodman? On Sunday, Goodman (23-1, 8 KOs) won the interim IBF junior featherweight title against Ryosuke Nishida (11-2, 2 KOs) in Japan.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 28

What’s Next For Takuma Inoue After Beating Tenshin Nasukawa In Their Rematch?

What is next for Takuma Inoue, and why does it make so much sense for it to be Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez? Inoue (23-2, 5 KOs) defeated Tenshin Nasukawa (8-2, 3 KOs) for the second time in one calendar year on Saturday night in Japan.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 27

Inoue Holds Off Nasukawa In Tokyo Rematch

Takuma Inoue retained the WBC bantamweight title Saturday with a unanimous decision over Tenshin Nasukawa in their Tokyo rematch, weathering a seventh-round knockdown to repeat his November 2025 victory.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / September 24

Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa 2: An Inside Look At This WBC Bantamweight Title Fight

Let’s look at what is at stake this week with Takuma Inoue (22-2, 5 KOs) vs. Tenshin Nasukawa (8-1, 3 KOs). The two will battle for Inoue’s WBC bantamweight title on Sunday at the Tokyo Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 8

Inoue Tells Team To Stop Him When Decline Comes

Naoya Inoue has instructed his father and trainer to pull him out of boxing the moment they see him slipping. The Ring's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer sat

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 7

Inoue Reveals Plan To Retire Undefeated

Naoya Inoue has told his father and trainer to pull the plug on his career the moment they see him slipping. The Ring's No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer sat down with the magazine at Korakuen Hall this week and said he gave the instruction himself because he cannot trust his own judgment when the time comes.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / September 7

Inoue Confirms Rodriguez Fight Not Essential

Naoya Inoue has taken his first extended mental break in years and says a potential showdown with Jesse Rodriguez is far from essential. The unified super bantamweight champion, ranked No.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / August 19

Naoya Inoue vs. Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez Fight Targeted for February 2027

A new report has surfaced regarding the long-anticipated superfight between Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Naoya Inoue with a specific month and venue in mind.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / July 28

Inoue On Rodriguez Delay: Will Move To 126

Naoya Inoue will not wait forever for Jesse Rodriguez. The undisputed super bantamweight champion told reporters in Japan on Monday that he expects a resolution by February 2027 — if Rodriguez continues fighting at bantamweight beyond that window, Inoue will move to featherweight instead.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / July 20

Naoya Inoue-Bam Rodriguez fight gets DAZN green light

DAZN has directed Matchroom Boxing to pursue a potential showdown between Naoya Inoue and Jesse Rodriguez, promoter Eddie Hearn told The Ring this week.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / July 1

Naoya Inoue Covers The Ring Magazine July 2026 Issue

Naoya Inoue graces the cover of The Ring Magazine's July 2026 edition following his May victory over Junto Nakatani that secured both his undisputed junior featherweight championship and recognition as the top pound-for-pound fighter in boxing.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / June 18

Gervonta Davis Return, Jesse Rodriguez-Inoue Top Boxing Questions

Gervonta Davis's return to the ring heads a list of pressing questions shaping boxing's landscape in 2025, according to ESPN analysts Andreas Hale and Nick Parkinson.

Texas Rangers News / BoxingNews.com / June 16

Garcia wants Rodriguez unification fight before Inoue clash

Robert Garcia wants Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez to fight for a second bantamweight title before chasing Naoya Inoue. Garcia, who trains and manages Rodriguez, told DAZN after Saturday's sixth-round stoppage of Antonio Vargas that he wants the San Antonio southpaw to face WBO titleholder Christian Medina in a unification bout at 118 pounds.

Click here to get Yardbarker's Quiz of the Day emailed to you!

The 'World Series Game 1 starters' quiz

The 'World Series managers' quiz

The 'Last 300-yard game by NFL team' quiz

The 'ALCS MVPs' quiz

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / June 14

Jesse Rodriguez eyes Naoya Inoue bout as team debates timing

Jesse Rodriguez's sixth-round stoppage of Antonio Vargas at bantamweight has pushed a potential showdown with Naoya Inoue closer to reality, but his team is split on when to pull the trigger.

Boxing News / BoxingNews.com / June 14

Jesse Rodriguez open to any opponent including Inoue clash

Jesse Rodriguez says he will accept any fight offered to him, including a potential move up to face Naoya Inoue. The light flyweight contender made clear his willingness to take on all comers when asked about future opponents.

Boxing News / Fights Around The World / June 12

Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez vs Antonio Vargas: Weigh-In Results & Betting Odds

No scale fails in Glendale, Arizona, as WBA bantamweight champion Antonio Vargas (19-1-1, 11 KOs) and his opponent, Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez (23-0, 16 KOs), both came under the division’s 118-pound weight limit on Friday afternoon.

Boxing News / KO on SI / May 13

Naoya Inoue’s Father Pleads for Son to Make Major Career Decision

Naoya Inoue's May 2 outing against Junto Nakatani earned 'The Monster' the biggest win of his career. Despite being handed some problems by his fellow countryman, the undisputed super bantamweight champion retained his titles via unanimous decision.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / April 29

Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani: Preview, storylines

This weekend is shaping up to be a banger, and the bout between Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani is one of the matchups fitting the bill. This all-Japanese battle carries major weight, with undisputed status at super-bantamweight on the line between two unbeaten champions and national pride woven into the stakes.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / December 27

Naoya Inoue Cruises To Easy Unanimous Decision Victory

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — In a masterclass built on precision, poise, and punishment, Japanese icon Naoya Inoue cruised to a 12-round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Alan Picasso to retain his Ring and undisputed junior featherweight championships Saturday night at Mohammed Abdo Arena.

Boxing News / KO on SI / December 26

Naoya Inoue vs Alan Picasso Preview: Fight Time, Undercard

Undisputed super bantamweight world champion Naoya Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) returns to action on Saturday as he looks to make the fourth defense of his titles in 2025.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / December 23

Naoya Inoue: 'Maybe I Don’t Need To Prioritize Entertainment Every Fight'

There were stretches of his most recent title defense when Naoya Inoue felt the urge the familiar instinct to close the show with a knockout. But for the first time in his career, he consciously suppressed it.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / September 18, 2025

Inoue Stays Busy in Historic Year

Naoya Inoue isn’t slowing down. Fresh off a dominant performance against Murodjon Akhmadaliev. The undisputed junior featherweight champion (31-0, 27 KOs) is set to close out 2025 with his third fight of the year his busiest campaign since 2013.

Boxing News / Dice City Sports / September 14, 2025

Naoya Inoue Outclasses Murodjon Akhmadaliev to Retain The Ring Title

Nagoya, Japan — Pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue showcased his full boxing repertoire Sunday night, cruising to a unanimous decision victory over Murodjon Akhmadaliev at IG Arena to retain his undisputed junior featherweight championship and The Ring title.

Boxing News / Athlon Sports / May 6, 2025

Inoue Rescues A Dull Boxing Weekend

With a sigh at the beginning and a roar at the finale, the past 48 hours in boxing have been a tornado of emotion. Naoya Inoue's spectacular performance against Ramon Cardenas gave fans still reeling from a string of lacklustre bouts a reminder of what makes this sport so exciting.