Inoue vs. Nasukawa 2 Preview: Takuma Inoue Defends the WBC Bantamweight Title in a Rematch
Tokyo — September 27, 2026
Sep 27 in Tokyo: Takuma Inoue defends his WBC bantamweight title against Tenshin Nasukawa in a rematch, ten months after their first meeting — both men unbeaten since.
The BOXING OS Desk · Sep 21, 2026 · 3 MIN READ
- ✓Takuma Inoue — Naoya Inoue's brother, not Naoya himself — defends the WBC bantamweight title against Tenshin Nasukawa in a rematch, Sept 27 in Tokyo.
- ✓Since their first meeting roughly ten months ago, Nasukawa stopped Juan Francisco Estrada in round nine, and Inoue outpointed Kazuto Ioka.
- ✓The co-feature is Sam Goodman vs. Ryosuke Nishida for an interim IBF super bantamweight title.
On September 27, 2026, in Tokyo, WBC bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue — the brother of Naoya Inoue — defends his title against Tenshin Nasukawa in a rematch of their fight roughly ten months earlier. Since that first meeting, Nasukawa stopped Juan Francisco Estrada in round nine in April, and Inoue won a wide decision over Kazuto Ioka in May. The co-feature is Sam Goodman against Ryosuke Nishida for an interim IBF super bantamweight title.
A note before anything else: this is Takuma Inoue, not his far more famous brother Naoya. The WBC bantamweight title on the line here is Takuma's, earned and defended on his own record.
The rematch Ten months ago, Inoue and Nasukawa fought a close enough fight to justify running it back. Neither man has lost since. Nasukawa stopped Juan Francisco Estrada — a genuine former pound-for-pound name — in round nine in April, evidence that his crossover from kickboxing has real teeth in a boxing ring. Inoue answered with a wide decision over Kazuto Ioka in May, a defense that did nothing to invite doubt about the first result. Two champions, in form, settling the argument the first fight didn't.
The co-feature Sam Goodman fights Ryosuke Nishida for an interim IBF super bantamweight title — a genuine title fight in its own right, not a showcase bout stapled to the top of the bill for volume.
Why it matters A true rematch, on request rather than contract, between two fighters who have both looked good since the first meeting, is rarer than the sport's fight cards would suggest. This one earns the top-line slot.
The first fight raised the question. Ten months, two statement wins apiece, and no more excuses left for either side not to answer it.
Also this week: OKTAGON 94 in Frankfurt, and Barcelos vs. Rosas Jr. headlines a stacked UFC Vegas card.
FAQ
Is this Naoya Inoue or Takuma Inoue?+
Takuma Inoue — Naoya Inoue's brother. This is Takuma's WBC bantamweight title, not Naoya's.
When and where is Inoue vs. Nasukawa 2?+
September 27, 2026, in Tokyo.
What happened between the two Inoue–Nasukawa fights?+
Nasukawa stopped Juan Francisco Estrada in round nine in April 2026, and Inoue won a wide decision over Kazuto Ioka in May 2026.
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