
Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani will clash in Japan’s biggest ever fight this weekend as two of boxing’s best fighters go at it for super-bantamweight glory.
Saturday's Tokyo Dome showdown has got the boxing world buzzing, with plenty weighing in on whether 'The Monster' will add another prized scalp to his record.
Inoue appears to be the major favourite heading into this encounter thus far, with both bookmakers and boxing experts backing him in their predictions.
Nakatani’s excellence cannot be called into question, but he is taking a significant step up in class and experience against one of the best fighters of the modern era.
One person who does like Nakatani's chances though is former heavyweight contender Malik Scott.
In recent years, Scott has made the transition from fighter to trainer, most famously working with ex-world champion Deontay Wilder.
Scott is also one of boxing’s most sought-after pundits and now, he has offered his verdict, backing Nakatani as he gets ready for the toughest assignment of his career.
“Nakatani is a southpaw. Nakatani has long limbs, and he’s a southpaw that doesn’t go the original way that southpaws go when they fight,” said Scott when discussing the fight on the latest episode of Inside the Ring.
“He actually goes to the power hand, he challenges your power hand, and when you throw it, he makes you pay. I’m going with Nakatani by decision.”
The WBO world heavyweight title is on the line for Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois on May 9, only on DAZN PPV. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23), with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.


