“That’s what’s planned for now,” Moretti said Ring Magazine. “That’s what’s up next.”
Inoue’s win came without much resistance, while Nakatani’s 12-round decision over Sebastian Hernandez Reyes drew mixed reaction, with some seeing the fight as closer than the scorecards showed. The judges’ margins ranged from narrow to wide, which added to the discussion afterwards.
Despite the different performances, Moretti said the results did not change interest in the fight.
Moretti noted that both fighters competed outside of Japan, which he said could affect how fights go. Fighters, he added, can look different away from home compared to the main events in their own country.
He said Inoue’s fight followed a familiar pattern, with the champion in control once he took the lead. Nakatani’s fight, on the other hand, required more work and went the full 12 rounds.
“I think, despite how Nakatani looked, it’s a very competitive fight,” Moretti said. “In front of a sold-out Tokyo Dome, he’s going to have to raise his bar, and I think Inoue stands up to that.”
The bout was primarily viewed as a major domestic event in Japan, where both fighters have established fans and where a Tokyo Dome setting has added significance. Promoters framed the bout as a home market showcase rather than one built around international pay-per-view demand.
Moretti said the recent results did not change internal plans or expectations.
“It’s not like nobody wants to see the fight because of the fight Nakatani had,” he said. “It’s still intriguing as hell.”
No official date has been announced, but the plan remains for Inoue and Nakatani to fight next.
