Photo by Yuichi YAMAZAKI / AFP via Getty Images

By Shawn De Guzman

It is an all-out war as the two biggest Japanese boxing stars in Naoya Inoue and Junto Nakatani figure in the blockbuster duel for the undisputed super bantamweight crown at the Tokyo Dome on Saturday.

The super fight is set at 7 p.m. (Manila time) with pound-for-pound best fighters not only staking their undefeated records but are also battling for the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Organization (WBO), World Boxing Association (WBA) , International Boxing Federation (IBF) and The Ring belts currently held by Inoue.

Both fighters made weight with the defending champion tipping the scales at 121.92lbs while Nakatani came in slightly lighter at 121.47lbs.

Although the two were respectful and cool towards each other, fireworks are expected as Inoue, boasting a perfect 32-0 record with 27 knockouts, faces the biggest threat yet to his reign.

“I'm now calm and very skilled, getting ready for May 2. (Nakatani) is a clever, smart, very straightforward, hardworking guy. He's a great fighter. I need to have a mentality like his to get in the ring against him. I've given everything to be ready. Keep your eyes open and don't blink,” said Inoue through an interpreter

"A lot of people will be coming to see boxing for the first time, so it would be good if I could show them how great boxing is. I'll show them Naoya Inoue and prove that I'm still great.”

Coming in as the underdog in the contest, Nakatani, who packs a 32-0 record with 24 KOs is unfazed and vows to slay the ‘Monster’ in Inoue.

"I am very grateful [to be here]. I know that not many professional boxers have the chance to stand on this stage,” Nakatani said.

“On May 2, Junto Nakatani's story will be revealed. I'm looking forward to this fight. I will show you guys what I have within me and it will be super-cool if people are touched by this fight,” he added.