Naoya Inoue Retains Titles Against Murodjon Akhmadaliev

Naoya Inoue retained his undisputed super bantamweight championship by defeating Murodjon Akhmadaliev via a convincing unanimous decision after 12 rounds in Nagoya, Japan. The judges scored the bout 118-110, 118-110, and 117-111 in favour of Inoue. With this win, Inoue moves to 31-0 with 27 knockouts, while Akhmadaliev drops to 14-2 with 11 stoppages on his record. The fight extended Inoue’s reign as one of boxing’s most complete and dominant fighters, while Akhmadaliev proved durable enough to push him the distance for the first time since 2019.

From the outset, Inoue took command of the contest. He relied on his sharp jab, quick footwork, and constant pressure to establish control, averaging nearly 49 punches per round compared to Akhmadaliev’s 31. His jab was especially effective, with over 30 attempts per round and more than five connects, while Akhmadaliev landed fewer than two jabs per round. Power punches told the same story: Inoue landed 74 clean power shots to Akhmadaliev’s 39, steadily breaking down the challenger and setting the rhythm of the fight. He also targeted the body throughout, using both jabs and hooks to sap Akhmadaliev’s strength in the middle rounds.

The Uzbek southpaw tried to turn the tide by pressing forward and trapping Inoue on the ropes when possible, but each brief success was met with sharp counters. Inoue’s reflexes and timing prevented Akhmadaliev from sustaining any momentum. Whenever the challenger landed something meaningful, Inoue answered quickly with combinations that reasserted control. As the rounds wore on, Akhmadaliev’s face showed swelling, his output dipped, and his frustration grew. By the later rounds, it was clear that the champion was dictating both pace and distance, leaving Akhmadaliev chasing without reward.

This bout marked the first time in six years that Inoue went the full distance, ending a run of eleven straight stoppage victories. While some may have expected a knockout, the unanimous decision displayed another dimension of Inoue’s skill set: discipline, composure, and the ability to manage a strong, durable opponent over twelve rounds. The atmosphere inside IG Arena was electric, with Japanese fans loudly supporting their champion every time he landed a flush shot or slipped a dangerous attack. It was Inoue’s fifth defence of the undisputed WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO belts, and many considered Akhmadaliev the most credible threat to his dominance at 122 pounds.

The closing rounds showed Akhmadaliev’s fighting spirit as he tried to rally with bursts of aggression, landing a few eye-catching punches, including a clean right hand in the twelfth. Yet Inoue remained unshaken, refusing to concede even a moment of control. His footwork allowed him to circle out of danger, while his precision ensured the judges had little difficulty in awarding him nearly every round. There was no sense of jeopardy in the final stages, only confirmation that Inoue remains in full command of the division.

The outcome not only preserved Inoue’s unbeaten record but also reinforced his pound-for-pound status. His immediate plans include a December return against David Picasso, reportedly in Saudi Arabia, with speculation about a future clash against Junto Nakatani if both remain at super bantamweight. For Akhmadaliev, the loss was a setback, but his toughness, power, and experience ensure that he remains a serious contender capable of regrouping and challenging again at the elite level. Inoue’s victory, however, leaves little doubt that he continues to stand as one of the sport’s finest all-around champions.