Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa Preview Nov. 24th, 2025
Former WBA Bantamweight Champion Takuma Inoue of Japan returns to the ring this Monday, November 24th to take on unbeaten fellow countryman Tenshin Nasukawa for the vacant WBC Bantamweight Crown. Inoue lost his WBA belt in his third defence when he dropped a unanimous decision to Seiya Tsutsumi in an exciting bout in Tokyo in October, 2024. Nasukawa last boxed in June when he beat Victor Santillan by a wide 10-round unanimous decision. Monday’s fight from Tokyo, Japan can be seen live in America at 3:45 am ET on the Top Rank Classics channel. Inoue beat Sho Ishida by unanimous decision in his second title defence in May, 2024 after beating Liborio Solis by unanimous decision in April, 2023 to win the vacant belt and then stopping former IBF Jr. Bantamweight Champion Jerwin Ancajas in the ninth round with a body shot in his first defence.
Inoue vs Nasukawa Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Takuma Inoue +284
- Tenshin Nasukawa – 400
My Pick
The 29-year-old Inoue is the younger brother of Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue and owns a mark of 20-2 with 5 Ko’s and has 203 rounds of experience under his belt since turning pro in 2013 following an amateur career. He stands just over 5-feet-4-inches tall with a 64.5-inch reach but possesses just a small fraction of his brother’s power though as only 25 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he’s halted just two of his last 11 opponents. Inoue has never fought a pro with a losing record and beat Mark Anthony Geraldo by unanimous decision in 2015 for the vacant OPBF Super Flyweight Title.
He defended that belt twice before moving up in weight. He then captured the WBC interim World Bantamweight Title in 2018 by beating Tasala Salapat by unanimous decision. Inoue’s first defeat came by unanimous decision to Nordine Oubaali in a shot at the WBC Bantamweight Title in November, 2019 on the undercard of the first Naoya Inoue vs Nonito Donaire fight. He’s also captured the Japanese and WBO Asia Pacific Super Bantamweight Crowns as a pro.
Nasukawa is 27 years old and carries around a perfect record of 7-0 with 2 Ko’s and has just a handful of rounds on the judges’ scorecards out of the 50 he’s boxed since turning pro in September, 2023. The former professional kickboxer and mixed martial artist is generally regarded as one of the greatest ever modern-day kickboxers. He became famous after his KO wins over former IBF world boxing champion Amnat Ruenroeng in 2017 and Muay Thai champion Wanchalong PK Saenchaigym a year earlier. Nasukawa won numerous titles in kickboxing and retired from the sport in July 2022.
The southpaw, who is an excellent counterpuncher, made his pro boxing debut in April, 2023 when he beat Yuki Yonaha by six round unanimous decision. He beat Luis Guzman Torres via an eight-round unanimous decision five months later and then stopped Luis Robles Pacheco after three rounds. He took another step up in class in July, 2024 and halted Jonathan Rodriguez in the third stanza and then downed Gerwin Asilo and former WBO Bantamweight Champion Jason Moloney by 10-round unanimous decisions.
Nasukawa measures 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 69.5-inch reach but doesn’t have overwhelming power either as just 28.6 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he’s gone the distance in his last three fights. He’s just a half-inch taller than Inoue but has a five-inch edge in reach. When be beat Gerwin Asilo in October, 2024 he captured the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight Crown.
Prediction…
This really is a 50-50 fight between two fine Japanese boxers who lack power. However, Inoue looked impressive against Jerwin Ancajas and surprised a lot of people by stopping him. Most fans expect this fight to go the distance though and it could be another classic slugfest between fellow countrymen. Any outcome here is possible including a draw. Inoue has greater experience in a boxing ring however and that could be the difference maker.
Inoue can’t really afford another loss.
Play: Inoue +284 @ BetOnline.ag
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Takuma Inoue betting • Tenshin Nasukawa betting