Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa Preview September 27th, 2026
WBC Bantamweight Champion Takuma Inoue of Japan meets fellow countryman Tenshin Nasukawa in a rematch this Sunday, September 27th. Inoue, a former WBA Bantamweight Beltholder, beat Nasukawa by unanimous decision for the vacant WBC Belt last November. Inoue lost his WBA belt in his third defence when he dropped a unanimous decision to Seiya Tsutsumi in October, 2024. In his last outing in May, Inoue beat Kazuto Ioka via a unanimous decision. Ioka was attempting to become the first Japanese boxer to win world titles in five different weight divisions. Nasukawa last fought in April when he stopped former world champion Juan Francisco Estrada after nine rounds. Sunday’s fight can be seen live on DAZN in most nations with the card getting underway at 4am ET. Japanese fans can catch the action on Amazon Prime Video.
Inoue vs Nasukawa Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Tenshin Nasukawa +160
- Takuma Inoue -210
My Pick
The 30-year-old Inoue is the younger brother of Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue and owns a mark of 22-2 with 5 Ko’s. He has 227 rounds of experience to his name making his pro debut pro in 2013 following his amateur career. He stands just over 5-feet-4-inches tall with a 64.5-inch reach. However he certainly doesn’t possess the same power as his famous brother as just 22.7 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage. Even though he managed to drop Ioka early in his last fight, Inoue has halted just two of his last 13 opponents. He’s taken on good opposition as he’s never fought a pro with a losing record.
Inoue beat Mark Anthony Geraldo by unanimous decision in 2015 for the vacant OPBF Super Flyweight Title and defended the 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 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.
Inoue won the vacant WBA Bantamweight Title in 2023 by beating Liborio Solis by unanimous decision. He stopped former IBF Jr. Bantamweight Champion Jerwin Ancajas in the ninth round with a body shot in his first defence and then beat Sho Ishida by unanimous decision in his second defence. He also has wins over Jake Bornea, Shingo Wake, Petch CP Freshmart, Froilan Saludar and Mark Anthony Geraldo.
Nasukawa is 28 years old and carries around a mark of 8-1 with 3 Ko’s with 62 rounds of pro experience since making his debut in 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 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. He then downed Gerwin Asilo and former WBO Bantamweight Champion Jason Moloney by 10-round unanimous decisions.
Nasukawa then beat Victor Sanitllan by 10-round unanimous decision before having his winning streak snapped by Inoue. The challenger measures 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 69.5-inch for a half-inch height advantage and five-inch edge in reach on Inoue. he also lacks overwhelming power as just 37.5 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage and he’s gone the distance in four of his last five contests. When be beat Gerwin Asilo in October, 2024 Nasukawa captured the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight Crown.
Prediction…
Inoue has looked very impressive lately especially in the first meeting with Nasukawa and the win over Kazuto Ioka. Nasukawa rebounded well from the loss with a fine performance against Estrada so both boxers should be confident and in good form. Inoue gives up reach so will need to use foot movement, strike and then get out of range. A stoppage is unlikely as both boxers lack power and also own pretty solid chins. Whoever can outbox and out land their opponent is going to win. This is an even matchup with any outcome being realistic. But if Inoue can replicate his performance from the first fight with Nasukawa I think he’ll take another decision.
Inoue should be able to box his way to victory.
Play: Inoue -210 @ BetOnline.ag
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Takuma Inoue betting • Tenshin Nasukawa betting