{"id":19915,"date":"2026-05-10T10:30:27","date_gmt":"2026-05-10T10:30:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/19915\/"},"modified":"2026-05-10T10:30:27","modified_gmt":"2026-05-10T10:30:27","slug":"japan-sports-notebook-naoya-inoue-returns-to-the-top-in-the-rings-pound-for-pound-rankings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/japan\/19915\/","title":{"rendered":"JAPAN SPORTS NOTEBOOK | Naoya Inoue Returns to the Top in The Ring’s Pound-for-Pound Rankings"},"content":{"rendered":"

Naoya Inoue<\/a> (33-0, 27 knockouts) has returned to the top of The Ring’s pound-for-pound rankings<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Ukrainian heavyweight Oleksandr Usyk (24-0, 15 KOs) dropped from first to second on the venerable publication’s prestigious chart.<\/p>\n

Inoue ascended from No 2 to the top spot with his impressive victory over Junto Nakatani<\/a> on Saturday, May 2. In their epic bout at Tokyo Dome, Inoue retained his four super bantamweight title belts (WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO) by outpointing Nakatani on all three judges’ scorecards.<\/p>\n

The Ring released its updated pound-for-pound rankings<\/a> on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

Nakatani (32-1, 24 KOs) slipped from sixth to seventh in the rankings.<\/p>\n

In June 2022, Inoue reached No 1 on The Ring’s chart for the first time. He also returned to the top in May 2024.<\/p>\n

Global sports media giant ESPN also released its pound-for-pound rankings in the aftermath of the Inoue-Nakatani match.<\/p>\n

Inoue delivered a convincing case that he deserves to be the pound-for-pound king, ESPN declared in an online report<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

“Fighting in front of more than 55,000 fans at the Tokyo Dome, Inoue delivered a performance that reinforced his standing as the best fighter in the world,” ESPN wrote.<\/p>\n

“What looked on paper like a very close fight for the undisputed junior featherweight (aka super bantamweight) championship ultimately turned into a showcase for Inoue’s precision and control.”\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"NaoyaNaoya Inoue (\u00a9KYODO)<\/p>\n

High Praise for Naoya Inoue<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the fight, Rudy Hernandez, Nakatani’s longtime trainer, said his strategy backfired.<\/p>\n

Instead, he told The Ring that he should have instructed Nakatani to be more aggressive in the early rounds.<\/p>\n

“During the fight, I know that Junto listens to me and will do what’s asked of him, and he doesn’t question it,” Hernandez told the magazine nicknamed “The Bible of Boxing.”<\/p>\n

He then said, “The reason [our initial plan] went longer than it should have was that I knew Inoue has very good IQ, speed and power \u2014 he’s the entire package. My whole thing was to try and stay one step behind so that we can catch him once Inoue got close using his speed. But during the fight, it turned out that Junto was just as fast as Inoue.”<\/p>\n

\"NaoyaTrainer Rudy Hernandez and boxer Junto Nakatani are seen in the corner after the match. (\u00a9KYODO)<\/p>\n

Hernandez summed up his thoughts on the fight with a tone of regret.<\/p>\n

“It wasn’t about fighting,” he said, adding, “it was about trying to be in control and working on timing to catch Inoue. That was the plan. We didn’t want to lose any rounds. We made it a fight, but we started too late. You live and learn.”<\/p>\n

For Nakatani, Time to Heal From an Injury<\/p>\n

In the May 3 title fight, Nakatani’s left eye socket was fractured.<\/p>\n

Now, he’s focused on taking time off to let the injury heal.<\/p>\n

“I have a few injuries, but I’ll recover fully and fight again!” Nakatani wrote on social media.<\/p>\n

At a news conference after the bout, he told the large throng of reporters that he thought the injury occurred when he was punched by Inoue in the 11th round.<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

\"sumo\"In an all-yokozuna showdown, Onosato (right) grapples with Hoshoryu on October 19, 2025, at the London Grand Sumo Tournament. (\u00a9KYODO)<\/p>\n

Sumo<\/p>\n

Injured Yokozuna Onosato to Miss Summer Basho<\/p>\n

Yokozuna Onosato<\/a> will not participate in the 15-day Summer Grand Sumo Tournament due to a rotator cuff injury to his left shoulder, according to published reports.<\/p>\n

The Summer Basho gets underway on Sunday, May 10.<\/p>\n

Onosato pulled out of March’s Spring Basho on the fourth day after three consecutive defeats to start the tourney, and he has had chronic pain in his left shoulder.<\/p>\n

“He still has pain, and his physical condition wasn’t really improving,” Onosato’s stablemaster Nishonoseki said, according to Kyodo News. “I hope he takes a good look at himself and makes this an opportunity to grow.”<\/p>\n

Mongolian Hoshoryu<\/a> will be the lone yokozuna in this tournament.<\/p>\n

\"\"Aonishiki (center) is supported by other sumo wrestlers after injuring his left ankle during a training session on May 6 at the Arashio stable in Tokyo’s Chuo Ward. \u00a9KYODO)<\/p>\n

In related sumo<\/a> news, ozeki Aonishiki<\/a> is also sidelined. He sustained a left ankle injury in training on Wednesday, May 6. But Aonishiki is expected to compete in upcoming matches.<\/p>\n

“He’s planning to take part once the pain subsides,” his stablemaster Ajigawa was quoted as saying on Friday by Kyodo News. “I spoke to him this morning and he said he was ‘barely walking.’ It’s both a mental and physical issue.”<\/p>\n

The Ukrainian-born grappler needs eight or more wins in the Summer Basho to avoid being demoted to sekiwake, sumo’s third-highest rank. He went 7-8 in the Spring Basho.<\/p>\n


\n\"Japan<\/a>
\nRELATED:<\/p>\n

\"\"Chicago Cubs starter Shota Imanaga pitches against the Cincinnati Reds on May 7 at Wrigley Field. (\u00a9GETTY IMAGES\/via KYODO)<\/p>\n

Baseball<\/p>\n

Imanaga Stifles Reds in Impressive Performance<\/p>\n

Chicago Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga<\/a> held the visiting Cincinnati Reds to three hits and one run in six innings on Thursday, May 7. The Cubs hammered the Reds 8-3, extending their winning streak to nine.<\/p>\n

At Wrigley Field, Cincinnati’s Sal Stewart led off the top of the sixth inning with a solo homer, cutting Chicago’s lead to 8-1.<\/p>\n

Imanaga then showed his competitive fire during a pivotal stretch of the game.<\/p>\n

With the bases loaded and one out, Imanaga got back-to-back strikeouts (Ke’Bryan Hayes, Dane Myers) to end the Reds’ scoring threat.<\/p>\n

“I was able to demonstrate my strengths,” said Imanaga, who improved to 4-2, according to Kyodo News.<\/p>\n

He added, “I strongly intended to get out of the jam that I created myself. [And] I was able to end the inning without surrendering unnecessary runs and that will lead to the next outing.”<\/p>\n

In his last two starts, Imanaga excelled, holding the Arizona Diamondbacks (on May 2) and the Reds to a combined one run in 13 innings, walking four and striking out 15.<\/p>\n

\"\"Hanshin Tigers southpaw Haruto Takahashi in action against the Chunichi Dragons on May 6 in Nagoya. (\u00a9SANKEI)<\/p>\n

Tigers’ Takahashi Tosses 3rd Straight Shutout<\/p>\n

Hanshin Tigers<\/a> veteran left-hander Haruto Takahashi<\/a> handcuffed Chunichi Dragons hitters on Wednesday, May 6, pitching a two-hit shutout. The Tigers won 2-0 before 36,675 spectators at Vantelin Dome Nagoya.<\/p>\n

It was Takahashi’s third straight shutout. He fanned 10 batters in his 108-pitch effort.<\/p>\n

Takahashi became the first Hanshin pitcher since Gene Bacque<\/a> in 1966 to earn three consecutive shutout victories.<\/p>\n

On April 12, Takahashi held Chunichi to five hits and fanned 10 to begin his shutout streak.<\/p>\n

In his next outing, he blanked the Tokyo Yakult Swallows on April 29, holding the Central League foe to three hits in a seven-strikeout effort.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old improved to 4-0 in the 2026 NPB<\/a> season. He has a career win-loss record of 24-22.<\/p>\n

Asked about his shutout streak, Takahashi downplayed the accomplishment.<\/p>\n

“Up until now, I’ve been working hard, Takahashi said, according to Sports Hochi. “Well, it’s just a coincidence, so I’ll do my best to keep putting together wins.”<\/p>\n

Commenting on Takahashi’s dominant pitching of late and his overall ability, former Tigers player Takashi Toritani said the lefty exhibits his talent during his mound appearances.<\/p>\n

“There are few pitchers who can throw a fastball when the opponent is waiting for one,” Toritani told Nippon TV. “He’s a player everyone has been waiting years to see shine.”<\/p>\n

\"\"Stanford University’s Rintaro Sasaki in an April 2026 file photo. (\u00a9KYODO)<\/p>\n

Sasaki Making His Mark for Stanford<\/p>\n

Sophomore slugger Rintaro Sasaki<\/a> is Stanford University’s leader in home runs (15) and RBIs (43) through May 8. The Iwate Prefecture native is batting .282 in 46 games.<\/p>\n

Sasaki had a season-best five RBIs against Notre Dame on May 3.<\/p>\n

As a freshman in 2025, Sasaki belted seven homers and drove in 41 runs. He finished the season with a .269 average in 52 games.<\/p>\n

\"\"INAC Kobe Leonessa players celebrate the team’s 2025-26 WE League championship-clinching victory on May 3. (\u00a9KYODO)<\/p>\n


\n\"Japan<\/a>
\nSoccer\u00a0<\/p>\n

INAC Kobe Clinch WE League Title<\/p>\n

Midfielder Riko Yoshida<\/a> led WE League squad INAC Kobe Leonessa<\/a> with a pair of goals in a 5-1 triumph over Nagano Parceiro on Sunday, May 3.<\/p>\n

The Leonessa improved to 16-2-2 and clinched the 2025-26 WE League title with two matches remaining this season.<\/p>\n

Yoshida is No 1 in the WE League with 16 goals.<\/p>\n

\"\"Riko Yoshida (left) scored a brace in the Leonessa’s title-clinching win. (\u00a9KYODO)<\/p>\n

Leonessa manager Tomomi Miyamoto is in her first season at the helm.<\/p>\n

Top defender and team captain Shiori Miyake said the team’s cohesiveness was a key component of its title-winning achievement.<\/p>\n

“Everyone was able to fight while looking in the same direction,” Miyake said, according to The Yomiuri Shimbun.<\/p>\n

Miyake’s team won the WE League’s inaugural season (2021-22) title, then finished third in each of the next three seasons.<\/p>\n

\"\"Nagasaki Velca star Hyunjung Lee shoots a jumper in the second quarter against the Alvark Tokyo in Game 2 of their B.League playoff quarterfinal series on May 8 at Happiness Arena. (\u00a9B.LEAGUE)<\/p>\n

Basketball<\/p>\n

Velca Become 1st B.League Team to Reach Playoff Semifinals<\/p>\n

The Nagasaki Velca<\/a> defeated the visiting Alvark Tokyo 96-56 in Game 2 of their B.League<\/a> best-of-three playoff quarterfinal series on Friday, May 8, completing a series sweep.<\/p>\n

Korean star Hyunjung Lee<\/a> led the hosts with a game-best 27 points, including 14-for-14 from the free-throw line.<\/p>\n

In Game 1, the Velca triumphed 93-78 on Thursday.<\/p>\n

Elsewhere, the Ryukyu Golden Kings<\/a> wrapped up a series sweep on Saturday, beating the SeaHorses Mikawa 82-79 in Kariya, Aichi. Vic Law paced Ryukyu with 16 points, and three teammates also scored in double figures.<\/p>\n

In the series opener, the Golden Kings cruised past the hosts, winning 79-65.<\/p>\n

With its triumph on Saturday, Ryukyu advanced to the B.League semifinals for the eighth straight time.<\/p>\n


\n\"Japan<\/a>
\nRELATED:<\/p>\n

\"NaoyaJunto Nakatani speaks to reporters after his May 2 title fight. (\u00a9KYODO)<\/p>\n

Quotes of the Week<\/p>\n

“I was fully prepared for this fight against Inoue, so there were no big surprises about how he fought against me. But he was of such championship caliber, and I was impressed by his style of boxing in the ring.”<\/p>\n

\u2015Junto Nakatani<\/a>, assessing his 12-round unanimous decision loss to the undisputed super bantamweight champion on May 3, Boxing News reported.<\/p>\n

“It would be honorable if Inoue gave us a rematch. It would be no different than how he gave Nonito Donaire a rematch. Junto is worthy of a rematch.”<\/p>\n

\u2015Trainer Rudy Hernandez<\/a>, on his support for another Naoya Inoue-Junto Nakatani fight, The Ring reported.<\/p>\n

Author: Ed Odeven<\/a><\/p>\n

Follow Ed’s [Japan Sports Notebook]<\/a> on Sundays, [Odds and Evens]<\/a> during the week, and he can be found on X (formerly Twitter) \uff20ed_odeven<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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