The Japanese Boxing Commission and the Sportswriters Club named Naoya Inoue as their 'Fighter of the Year' for a seventh consecutive time at their annual awards ceremony at the Tokyo Dome Hotel.
The pound-for-pound star has won the award eight times now, this latest one being the seventh year in a row.
Naoya Inoue vs Luis Nery won the award for 'Fight of the Year'. In a fight filled with drama, in May 2024, the undefeated Inoue was floored for the first time in his career in the opening round, but jumped straight back up to score a sixth-round knockout, which marked his 22nd world title victory.
Inoue was then joined on stage by the reigning WBC bantamweight champion, Junto Nakatani, who each agreed to fight in 2026.
Two-weight undisputed champion, Naoya Inoue, laid down the gauntlet to Junto Nakatani when he offered, "Liven up Japanese boxing [and fight me] at the Tokyo Dome one year from now".
Nakatani instantly replied, "Let's do it!"
Inoue already has two fights lined up in 2025 - against Ramon Cardenas and Murodjon Akhmadaliev - but a 2026 match-up with fellow countryman Nakatani would become the biggest fight in Japanese boxing history.
Award Winners
Fighter of the Year: Naoya Inoue
Fight of the Year: Naoya Inoue vs Luis Nery
Special Achievement: Seiya Tsutsumi
Effort and Fighting Spirit: Tenshin Nasukawa
The Rookie: Riku Masuda
Female Fighter of the Year: Mizuki Hiruta