is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a two-time bantamweight champion having held the World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight title since November 2025, and previously the World Boxing Association (WBA) bantamweight title from 2023 to 2024.

Professional career

Inoue started boxing from a very young age, after watching his brother Naoya win several high school championships. After a promising amateur career, he made his pro debut in 2013 as a light-flyweight against future WBO mini-flyweight world champion Tatsuya Fukuhara. Inoue defeated the much more experienced boxer by unanimous decision. Inoue then moved up to the flyweight division and faced Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr., winning the fight by unanimous decision. After knocking out a debuting Chalerm Kotala, Inoue moved up to super-flyweight and outclassed world title contender Nestor Daniel Narvaes.

Inoue defeated Mark Anthony Geraldo on July 6, 2015, to win the OPBF super-flyweight title. He then successfully defended the belt against Rene Dacquel on December 29, 2015. On September 4, 2016, Inoue defeated Froilan Saludar at the Sky Arena in Japan, before moving up to bantamweight.

Inoue was set to face Marlon Tapales for the WBO bantamweight title in December 2016. However, Inoue was forced to withdraw from the fight after fracturing his hand in training.

Inoue made his return on August 30, 2017, against 4-time world title challenger Hiroyuki Kudaka. He won the back and forth fight by unanimous decision. Inoue then went on to defeat former Japanese champion Kentaro Masuda and Indonesian journeyman Waldo Sabu.

WBC Eliminator

On September 11, 2018, Inoue faced Mark John Yap in a title eliminator for the WBC Bantamweight world championship. The fight was fairly competitive until Inoue floored Yap with a left hook in the fifth. From there, Inoue maintained control for the next three rounds and earned a unanimous decision win.

WBC Interim Championship

Inoue faced Petch Sor Chitpattana for the vacant WBC interim bantamweight title on December 30, 2018, in Ota City General Gymnasium Japan. He won the fight by unanimous decision (117–111, 117–111, 117–111). As the interim champion, Inoue became the mandatory challenger to the winner of the vacant WBC world title fight between Rau'shee Warren and Nordine Oubaali.

WBC Bantamweight Championship

Nordine Oubaali vs Takuma Inoue

Inoue faced two time Olympian Nordine Oubaali for the WBC bantamweight title on November 7, 2019. He lost the fight by unanimous decision (117–110, 120–107, 115–112), marking the first loss of his professional career.

Inoue vs. Kurihara On January 14, 2021, Inoue beat Keita Kurihara by technical decision in their 9-round contest. Kurihara was ranked #4 by the IBF at bantamweight at the time. The scorecards were announced as 82–89, 82–89, 81–90 in favor of Inoue.

Inoue vs. Wake In his next bout, Inoue beat Shingo Wake by unanimous decision on November 11, 2021. Wake was ranked #13 by the WBO at super-bantamweight. The scorecards read 117–110, 117–110, 117–110 in favor of Inoue.

Inoue vs. Furuhashi In his next bout, on June 7, 2022, Inoue fought Gakuya Furuhashi. Inoue won the fight convincingly, winning 119–109, 120–108, 120–108 on the scorecards.

Inoue vs. Bornea Inoue faced Jake Bornea on December 13, 2022. The fight was stopped in the 8th round due to a cut opened up on Bornea, with Inoue dominating the action up to that point.

Inoue vs. Solis Inoue faced former WBA super-flyweight champion Liborio Solis for the vacant WBA bantamweight title on April 8, 2023. He won the fight and the title by unanimous decision.

Inoue vs. Ancajas Inoue made his first WBA bantamweight title defense against former IBF super-flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas. Inoue won the fight and retained his title by 9th round body-shot knockout.

Inoue vs. Ishida Takuma Inoue defeated Sho Ishida via unanimous decision to retain his WBA bantamweight title on May 6, 2024. Despite being knocked down in the first round, Inoue recovered to dominate the fight, using a mix of uppercuts and body shots to outpoint the taller Ishida for the next 11 rounds.

Inoue vs. Tsutsumi Inoue defended his WBA bantamweight title against Seiya Tsutsumi at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan on October 13, 2024. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Inoue vs. Nasukawa Inoue faced Tenshin Nasukawa for the vacant WBC bantamweight title at Toyota Arena in Tokyo, Japan on November 24, 2025. He won the bout by unanimous decision (116–112, 116–112, 117–111).

Inoue vs. Ioka Inoue successfully defended his title against Kazuto Ioka at the Tokyo Dome on May 2, 2026, winning via unanimous decision in a fight where he knocked his opponent to the canvas twice.

Awards Inoue was named the 2015 The Ring magazine Prospect of the Year.

Personal life He is the younger brother of Naoya Inoue, and the younger cousin of Koki Inoue.

Professional boxing record

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes25Win23–2Tenshin NasukawaUD1227 Sep 202624Win22–2Kazuto IokaUD122 May 202623Win21–2Tenshin NasukawaUD12Nov 24, 202522Loss20–2Seiya TsutsumiUD12Oct 13, 202421Win20–1Shō IshidaUD12May 6, 202420Win19–1Jerwin AncajasKO9 (12), Feb 24, 202419Win18–1Liborio SolísUD12Apr 8, 202318Win17–1Jake BorneaTKO8 (10), Dec 13, 202217Win16–1Gakuya FuruhashiUD12Jun 7, 202216Win15–1Shingo WakeUD12Nov 11, 202115Win14–1Keita Kurihara9 (12), Jan 14, 202114Loss13–1Nordine OubaaliUD12Nov 7, 201913Win13–0Petch Sor ChitpattanaUD12Dec 30, 201812Win12–0Mark John YapUD12Sep 11, 201811Win11–0Waldo Sabu1 (10), May 25, 201810Win10–0Kentaro MasudaUD10Dec 30, 20179Win9–0Hiroyuki HisatakaUD10Aug 30, 20178Win8–0Froilan SaludarUD10Sep 4, 20167Win7–0Afrizal Tamboresi2 (12), May 8, 20166Win6–0Rene DacquelUD12Dec 29, 20155Win5–0Mark Anthony GeraldoUD12Jul 6, 20154Win4–0Nestor Daniel NarvaesUD8Dec 30, 20143Win3–0Chalerm Kotala2 (8), Sep 5, 20142Win2–0Teeraphong UtaidaUD8Apr 6, 20141Win1–0Tatsuya Fukuhara6Dec 6, 2013

See also List of male boxers Notable boxing families Boxing in Japan List of Japanese boxing world champions List of world bantamweight boxing champions

References

External links

Takuma Inoue - Profile, News Archive & Current Rankings at Box.Live