Japanese boxer Takuma Inoue, younger brother of famed champion Naoya Inoue, suffered a surprising defeat that cost him his WBA bantamweight world title. On October 13, 2024, at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena, Inoue was beaten by undefeated compatriot Seiya Tsutsumi in a fierce contest, with the judges unanimously favoring Tsutsumi. The scores were 114-113, 115-112, and 117-110, reflecting Tsutsumi’s dominance throughout the bout.
Inoue’s loss shocked many, as he was widely expected to retain his title and move forward to a unification fight. It was anticipated that after defeating Tsutsumi, Inoue would take on Junto Nakatani, the WBC bantamweight champion. This potential unification fight had generated significant excitement in Japan, with Nakatani previously expressing interest in facing Naoya Inoue, Takuma’s elder brother.
However, Takuma’s unexpected defeat derailed these plans, reshaping the bantamweight division. Seiya Tsutsumi, now the new WBA champion, may become Junto Nakatani’s next opponent in a unification bout. Though nothing is confirmed yet, Tsutsumi’s victory has created new dynamics in the division, leaving fans eager to see the next developments.
Tsutsumi’s win not only disrupted Takuma’s plans but also affected the prospects of a major fight in Japan. Many had hoped for a historic clash between Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani, both considered top boxing stars in Japan. Takuma’s loss has now altered the original course of events involving the Inoue brothers.
Naoya Inoue had previously promised to fight Nakatani if his brother triumphed over Tsutsumi, but with Takuma’s surprising defeat, it’s unclear if that bout will still happen. Naoya, recognized as one of the world’s best pound-for-pound fighters, may still face Nakatani, though the path to that highly anticipated match is now uncertain.
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