Tenshin Nasukawa vs Takuma Inoue Ordered for Vacant WBC Bantamweight Title

A high-stakes showdown between Japanese standouts Tenshin Nasukawa and Takuma Inoue is on the horizon, with the WBC officially ordering the pair to fight for its vacant bantamweight world title, recently relinquished by Junto Nakatani.

Nakatani, the former unified WBC and IBF champion at 118 pounds, confirmed his move up to super bantamweight last week. He is now set to face Sebastian Reyes on December 27, paving the way for a new champion to be crowned in his former division.

As the WBC’s top two ranked contenders, Nasukawa (7-0, 2 KOs) and Inoue (20-2, 5 KOs) have been given until October 21 to reach terms, with early reports suggesting negotiations are already well underway—making a purse bid unlikely.

Nasukawa’s Meteoric Rise

Despite a rocky international debut in a 2018 exhibition bout against Floyd Mayweather, which ended in a first-round TKO loss and widespread media attention, Nasukawa has since rebuilt his combat sports image in impressive fashion. The former kickboxing phenom has transitioned smoothly into professional boxing, showcasing slick movement, sharp ring IQ, and defensive prowess.

He made a major statement in April by outpointing former world champion Jason Moloney, followed by another standout performance against Victor Santillan in June, both wins coming via unanimous decision. Those victories cemented the 27-year-old southpaw as the WBC’s number-one ranked bantamweight and a legitimate title contender.

Inoue Given Chance at Redemption

Takuma Inoue, younger brother of pound-for-pound star Naoya Inoue, enters the title frame under less ideal circumstances. The 29-year-old hasn’t fought since losing his WBA bantamweight title to Seiya Tsutsumi in October 2024—a clear decision defeat that would normally set back a fighter’s title aspirations.

However, Inoue’s standing as the WBC’s second-ranked contender, along with his name recognition and marketability, has earned him a swift return to the world stage. Reports in the Japanese media suggest that talks between the two camps have been ongoing, indicating mutual interest in finalizing the fight quickly.

A Blockbuster All-Japanese Title Fight

The matchup promises to be a compelling clash of styles: Nasukawa’s flashy footwork and precision against Inoue’s experience and fundamentals. Beyond the belts and rankings, the bout also represents a symbolic passing of the torch—pitting one of Japan’s most hyped crossover athletes against an established name in the nation’s boxing scene.

With both fighters targeting the vacant WBC crown, this potential bout could become one of the standout fights on the late 2025 boxing calendar.