Levi Luna reported on ESPN KnockOut’s broadcast Saturday night that WBC bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue and mandatory challenger Tenshin Nasukawa are expected to meet in a rematch this September in Japan.
The match reported would take place less than a year after Takuma Nasukawa suffered the first defeat of his professional boxing career. In their first meeting last November, Nasukawa found success in the opening rounds before Takuma adjusted and took control of the fight, earning a clear decision victory.
Both fighters have remained active since then and enter the proposed rematch on the heels of significant victories. Takuma, 22-2 (5 KOs), retained his WBC bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over former four-division champion Kazuto Ioka earlier this year. Nasukawa, 8-1 (2 KOs), scored the biggest win of his boxing career by defeating former unified super flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada.
Nasukawa’s status as the WBC’s mandatory challenger kept him in line for another title shot, despite the decisive nature of the first encounter. The prospect of an immediate rematch could divide opinion among fans who believed Takuma settled the rivalry in their initial meeting.
If finalized, the contest will match two of Japan’s most recognizable names in the lower weight classes. Takuma would pursue another successful defense of his WBC title, while Nasukawa would seek to avenge the lone defeat on his professional boxing record.
No official announcement has been made, but if Luna’s report proves accurate, Takuma and Nasukawa will renew their rivalry in what could be one of Japan’s most anticipated boxing events of the fall.
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Last updated on 2026/06/15 at 12:49
