Japanese boxers on the attack. Some of the best representatives of Japanese boxing will take part in the event called “The Night of the Samurai” on December 27 in Riyadh, under the aegis of The Ring and with the financial support of Riyadh Season. Among the featured names are the two standouts Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani who, in 2026—barring sensational twists—will headline the most anticipated Japanese clash of all time.
The main event of the evening will star Naoya Inoue, who last Sunday defeated the dangerous Uzbek Murodjon Akhmadaliev on points and who, in December, will defend his four super bantamweight world titles against the challenge of undefeated Mexican contender Alan David Picasso.
Junto Nakatani, on the other hand, will make his debut in the super bantamweight division, beginning to adapt to the weight class where next year’s “derby of wonders” will take place. He will face the heavy-handed Mexican Sebastian Hernandez, who currently boasts a record of 20 wins in as many fights, with 18 of them coming inside the distance.
After losing his two flyweight world titles to Ricardo Sandoval, 33-year-old Kenshiro Teraji—renowned for the spectacular nature of his fights—will seek redemption by moving up to super flyweight to challenge IBF champion Willibaldo Garcia.
Super featherweight Hayato Tsutsumi, who already showcased his talent in Riyadh this summer when he demolished England’s Qais Ashfaq in just three rounds, will raise the bar by taking on another British fighter: seasoned veteran James Dickens, fresh off a stunning KO victory over former Olympic gold medalist Albert Batyrgaziev.
Southpaw lightweight Taiga Imanaga will try to preserve his unbeaten record (9 wins, 5 by KO) in a very tricky matchup against Cuban Armando Martinez. The Caribbean boxer is also undefeated and has stopped 15 of his 16 professional opponents.
Finally, 23-year-old prospect Reito Tsutsumi, who has fought and won three professional bouts so far, will square off with his Mexican peer Leobardo Quintana, who comes into the fight with a record of 11 wins and just one defeat.