Takuma Inoue Survives Knockdown, Beats Nasukawa Again

Takuma Inoue retained his WBC bantamweight title by unanimous decision over Tenshin Nasukawa on Sunday at Toyota Arena in Tokyo, surviving a seventh-round knockdown to close out a far tighter rematch than their first fight. Judges scored it 116-111, 116-111 and 114-113 for Inoue, who improved to 23-2 with five knockouts. Nasukawa dropped to 8-2.

Inoue looked like the same fighter who won their November 2025 meeting for most of the first half. His jab and straight right kept Nasukawa off balance, and he controlled range well enough that Nasukawa couldn't find the left hand he needed to change the fight. Then round seven happened. Nasukawa landed the shot that had eluded him for six rounds, dropped Inoue, and took a 10-8 swing that suddenly made this a fight again.

How Nasukawa Made This a Real Fight

Tenshin Nasukawa's improvement between the two Inoue fights showed up exactly when it mattered most. He had stopped Juan Francisco Estrada since the first Inoue loss, and the step up in power and timing was visible once he found his opening in round seven. He pressed the action after the knockdown, landed his left hand more consistently, and forced Inoue to fight defensively down the stretch of a bout he had been controlling.

That surge nearly changed the outcome. One judge had it 114-113, meaning a swing round or two elsewhere could have flipped the card. The other two scores, both 116-111, reflected how much ground Inoue had banked before the knockdown ever landed.

What This Means for Inoue's Title Reign

Takuma Inoue answered the only real question left after the first fight, whether he could hold up if Nasukawa actually landed clean. He could. Getting off the canvas and still winning every round but one on two of the three cards is a different kind of statement than a comfortable decision would have been. It's now his second defense of the belt he first captured against Nasukawa, and doing it after eating a knockdown adds a durability checkmark that wasn't tested in their first meeting.

Betting Angle

Inoue goes from a fighter who beat Nasukawa comfortably to one who has now beaten him twice, including once through adversity, and that history should keep him favored in any conversation about a trilogy or his next defense. But the knockdown is the number sportsbooks and matchmakers will note. Nasukawa proved he has enough power to change a fight against Inoue on any given night, which matters if either man is offered short odds in a future rematch. For now, Inoue's price as the more complete, more durable fighter looks fair, but bettors should treat him as a champion who can be hurt, not an untouchable favorite.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa rematch?

Takuma Inoue won by unanimous decision over Tenshin Nasukawa, with scores of 116-111, 116-111 and 114-113, retaining his WBC bantamweight title in Tokyo.

Did Tenshin Nasukawa knock down Takuma Inoue?

Yes, Tenshin Nasukawa dropped Takuma Inoue in the seventh round, but Inoue recovered and won the fight on the judges' scorecards.

What are Takuma Inoue's and Tenshin Nasukawa's records after this fight?

Takuma Inoue improved to 23-2 with five knockouts, while Tenshin Nasukawa fell to 8-2 with three knockouts.