Takuma Inoue

Takuma Inoue (井上 拓真) is a Japanese professional boxer who has held the WBA bantamweight title since April 2023. He previously held the WBC interim bantamweight title from 2018 to 2019, and challenged for the full world title in 2019.

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 minimumweight 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.

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.