The showdown between boxing’s unified super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue (33, Ohashi) and top-ranked contender Junto Nakatani (28, M.T) generated a staggering $32 million (approximately ¥50.3 billion) in event revenue, according to U.S. specialist media outlet BNAV.
The “Fight of the Century” took place on May 2 at the Tokyo Dome, drawing roughly 55,000 fans. The outlet noted, “In a brilliant battle, Naoya Inoue defeated Junto Nakatani by decision. The event revenue of $32 million is remarkable given many factors that people are unaware of.” It added, “This is unprecedented in Asia, and it is also unprecedented for a lightweight boxer to generate such event revenue.”
The undefeated Japanese fighters’ clash at the Tokyo Dome attracted global attention and became a major talking point, both domestically and internationally.
BNAV pointed out, “This is a feat no one has ever achieved before. Naturally, pay-per-view purchases within Japan exceeded 500,000 units, rewriting the domestic record in combat sports.”
According to the outlet, the top-grossing boxing events of all time are: 1) Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao in 2015 ($72.2 million), 2) Mayweather vs. Conor McGregor in 2017 ($55.4 million), and 3) Saul Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford in 2025 ($47.2 million). Inoue vs. Nakatani ranks fourth, making it the highest-grossing event in Asian history and the all-time leader in the lightweight division worldwide. The outlet commented, “Two small-statured Asians have overwhelmed every major heavyweight title match in history. Let that sink in.”