The first fight left questions unanswered. On May 2, 2026 at the Tokyo Dome, Takuma Inoue defends his WBC bantamweight world championship against the legendary Kazuto Ioka in one of the most fascinating rematches in recent Japanese boxing history.
Ioka — a four-division world champion and one of the greatest Japanese fighters of any era — is making his case for one final world title. Takuma, the younger brother of pound-for-pound king Naoya, has matured into a serious champion in his own right. The co-main event adds an extra layer of intrigue: two Inoue brothers, defending titles on the same night, at the same venue. History is in the air.
| Date | May 2, 2026 |
| Venue | Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan |
| Division | Bantamweight (118 lbs) |
| Rounds | 12 |
| Title | WBC World Bantamweight Championship |
| Broadcast | DAZN (worldwide) |
Takuma Inoue (21-2, 5 KOs) is 28 years old and knows what it’s like to lose. He’s carried the weight of that famous surname throughout his career — always the younger brother, always measured against The Monster — but he earned the WBC bantamweight title on his own terms. At 5’5” (164 cm) with a 64.2” (163 cm) reach, he is an orthodox boxer-puncher with 215 professional rounds of experience.
His recent form tells a story of consolidation. A November 2025 decision win over Nasukawa cemented his championship credentials after the surprise loss to Tsutsumi in October 2024. Before that blip, he had posted quality wins over former WBC super bantamweight champion Ancajas (KO9) and Solis. His 24% KO rate reflects a technical fighter who wins by outworking and outboxing opponents — but the Ancajas knockout proves the power is there.
Kazuto Ioka (32-4-1, 17 KOs) is 36 years old and refuses to let this be the farewell chapter. A four-division world champion across light flyweight, super flyweight, flyweight, and super flyweight, Ioka has 347 professional rounds of experience — 132 more than Takuma — and a 53% KO rate that underlines a genuinely dangerous right hand.
His last 12 months have been turbulent. Back-to-back decision losses to Martinez might have ended a lesser fighter’s ambitions. Instead, Ioka bounced back with a fourth-round KO of Ordosgoitti in December 2025. At 36, the clock is a factor. But Ioka at his best is a masterclass in ring generalship, and that kind of intelligence doesn’t fade with age the way physical attributes do.
| Takuma Inoue | Kazuto Ioka | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 28 | 36 |
| Record | 21-2 | 32-4-1 |
| KOs | 5 (24%) | 17 (53%) |
| Height | 5’5” / 164 cm | 5’5” / 165 cm |
| Reach | 64.2” / 163 cm | 66.1” / 168 cm |
| Stance | Orthodox | Orthodox |
| Pro Rounds | 215 | 347 |
Takuma Inoue — Last 5 Fights
| Result | Opponent | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Nasukawa | UD | 12 |
| Loss | Tsutsumi | UD | 12 |
| Win | Ishida | UD | 12 |
| Win | Ancajas | KO | 9 |
| Win | Solis | UD | 12 |
Kazuto Ioka — Last 5 Fights
| Result | Opponent | Method | Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Win | Ordosgoitti | KO | 4 |
| Loss | Martinez II | UD | 12 |
| Loss | Martinez I | UD | 12 |
| Win | Perez | KO | 7 |
| Win | Franco II | UD | 12 |
| Odds (UK) | Odds (US) | |
|---|---|---|
| Takuma Inoue | 2/5 | -250 |
| Kazuto Ioka | 19/10 | +190 |
Our pick: Takuma Inoue by majority or split decision. This fight goes 12 rounds. Ioka’s experience will make it competitive and close, but Takuma’s youth, work rate, and home crowd advantage should edge him through in the championship rounds.
| Country | Broadcaster | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide | DAZN | 10:00 UTC |
| UK | DAZN | 11:00 BST |
| USA | DAZN | 06:00 ET / 03:00 PT |
| Japan | Various | 19:00 JST |
When is Takuma Inoue vs Kazuto Ioka II? The rematch takes place on May 2, 2026 at the Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan.
What title is on the line? The WBC World Bantamweight Championship, with Takuma Inoue defending.
Where can I watch Takuma Inoue vs Ioka II? The fight is broadcast on DAZN worldwide.
What are the betting odds? Takuma Inoue is favoured at 2/5 (UK) / -250 (US). Kazuto Ioka is priced at 19/10 / +190.
How many world titles has Kazuto Ioka won? Kazuto Ioka is a four-division world champion — one of the greatest Japanese fighters in boxing history.
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