Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa rematch set for September

WBC bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue will face mandatory challenger Tenshin Nasukawa in a September rematch, according to a Bad Left Hook report citing an ESPN broadcast announcement.

The pairing is a quick turnaround from their November meeting, where Inoue won decisively after Nasukawa faded beyond the opening rounds. Inoue has since defended his title with a wide decision over four-division champion Kazuto Ioka, while Nasukawa rebounded by dominating Juan Francisco Estrada in a statement performance.

Quick sequel raises questions despite Nasukawa's comeback win

The 10-month gap between fights is short given the lack of drama in the original bout. With a potential clash between Inoue and Jesse Rodriguez reportedly available, the decision to grant Nasukawa an immediate second chance has drawn scrutiny, especially considering the WBC's historical flexibility on mandatory deadlines.

Still, Nasukawa remains one of Japan's biggest draws and will likely command a substantial purse for the September date. Inoue holds a 22-2 record with five knockouts, while Nasukawa stands at 8-1 with two stoppages following his first professional boxing loss to the champion.

Reported via:

• Bad Left Hook — Takuma Inoue vs Tenshin Nasukawa rematch reportedly planned for September