Japan’s lower‑weight conveyor belt serves another gem on June 8, when WBC bantamweight king Junto Nakatani collides with unbeaten IBF titleholder Ryosuke Nishida at Tokyo’s Ariake Colosseum. Organisers confirmed the all‑southpaw showdown at a press conference in the capital, ending weeks of whispers and giving Japanese fans their first domestic men’s unification since Inoue‑Donaire II. 
Nakatani has racked up 23 knockouts in a flawless 30‑0 run and is coming off a ruthless third‑round demolition of David Cuellar to notch his third WBC defence. The 5ft 7in powerhouse has conquered titles in three divisions and insists “I’m ready to raise every part of my game” for what will be his fourth bantamweight defence.  
Watch Nakatani vs. Cuellar highlights: Watch
Nishida lacks Nakatani’s highlight‑reel power but owns a slick, high‑volume style that frustrated then‑champ Emmanuel Rodríguez last year and made him the quickest Japanese male to win a world belt. The 28‑year‑old southpaw says the step‑up “doesn’t scare me - this is the fight I wanted the day I turned pro,” and a win would propel him from cult favourite to national star overnight. 
Beyond the silverware, the bout carries massive stakes for 2026: Nakatani and pound‑for‑pound No. 1 Naoya Inoue have already shaken hands on a superfight next year. That plan evaporates if Nishida pulls the upset, giving the Osaka native a chance to shred the script and stamp his own ticket to Inoue.  
ESPN+ will stream the card live in the United States, with domestic broadcast details to follow.
Image Credit: Top Rank