(November 7th) The Ring V launch press conference showcased the official kickoff for “The Ring V: Night of the Samurai,” an international boxing event headlined by undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue, with significant appearances from Junto Nakatani and other top fighters. Hosted in Tokyo, Japan and set for global streaming, the press conference outlined the event’s scale, key matchups, and the cultural meaning behind the “Night of the Samurai” branding, setting the tone for a high-profile night on December 27th.​​

Naoya Inoue’s entrance was met with immense fanfare, emphasizing his status as the card’s main star, with his bout against Colima, Mexico’s, Alan Picasso (32-0-1, 17 KOs) in the headline attraction.​

Kanagawa, Japan’s, Junto “Big Bang"Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs) another major Japanese world champion, also took the stage, discussing his journey and his recent decision to move up to super bantamweight, underlining the significant ambitions of Japanese boxing talent on the card.​

Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan’s, Naoya “Monster” Inoue (31-0, 27 KOs) expressed appreciation for the global spotlight, calling the event a major milestone in his career and promising fans an unforgettable performance.​

Junto Nakatani reflected on his move to a new weight class, explaining the motivations and preparation behind this decision, and thanked organizers for the opportunity to perform on such a significant stage.​

“The Ring V: Night of the Samurai,” airs live on DAZN on December 27th, simultaneously targeting global and Japanese viewership.​

Both headline fighters—Inoue and Picasso—are set for media obligations and community engagement in the weeks before the bout, as part of building anticipation for the year-ending boxing spectacle.​

This launch press conference marks a defining moment for Japanese boxing stars on the world stage, setting high expectations for “The Ring V: Night of the Samurai” and signaling a new chapter of international fight nights rooted in both sporting excellence and cultural celebration.

The action extends far beyond the main attraction. The undercard delivers a compelling exhibition of Japanese boxing excellence, featuring narratives worthy of top billing in their own right. Junto Nakatani, boasting an unblemished 31-0 record with 24 knockouts and already holding world titles across three weight classes, makes his highly anticipated move to super bantamweight. Having swept through the bantamweight ranks and unified the WBC and IBF championships before relinquishing them, Nakatani now confronts Mexico's formidable Sebastian Hernandez (20-0, 18 KOs). With top-ten rankings from The Ring, WBC, and WBO, Hernandez arrives riding momentum from a dominant decision victory over Azat Hovhannisyan, promising a power-packed clash that could instantly redefine the divisional landscape.

Kenshiro "The Amazing Boy" Teraji (25-2, 16 KOs)  and former unified champion whose reign defined an era, pursues redemption following his razor-thin title defeat to Ricardo Sandoval at flyweight. He squares off against Mexico's Willibaldo Garcia Perez (23-6-2, 13 KOs) —crowned world champion for the first time this past May—in a quest to reclaim his position among the light flyweight elite. Teraji's cerebral approach, technical mastery, and relentless combination punching have cemented his legacy among boxing's finest, making his resurgence one of the evening's most compelling narratives.

The card gains additional prestige through emerging talent Taiga Imanaga (9-0, 5 KOs), who meets WBA lightweight No.4 and unbeaten Cuban knockout artist Armando Martinez (16-0, 15 KOs) in what promises to be a potential title elimination bout. Rounding out the event, the Tsutsumi siblings—Reito (3-0, 2 KOs) and Hayato (8-0, 5 KOs)—risk their perfect records against Mexico's Leobardo Quintana (12-1, 5 KOs) and Britain's battle-tested James Dickens (36-5, 15 KOs), respectively.

For tickets (click here) .

About Riyadh Season:

Riyadh Season is an annual, large-scale entertainment, cultural, and sporting festival held in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, running from October through March. Initiated by the Saudi General Entertainment Authority as part of the Vision 2030 initiative, the event transforms Riyadh into a global entertainment hub with thousands of activities spanning concerts, sports, cultural exhibitions, and more. It aims to boost tourism, diversify the economy, and enhance quality of life for residents and visitors alike.

The 2025–2026 edition of Riyadh Season features diverse zones across the city such as Boulevard City, Roshn Front, and National Museum Park, each offering unique experiences from live performances and cuisine to immersive art and interactive attractions. It hosts a variety of world-class sporting events including boxing tournaments like The Ring V: Night of the Samurai, tennis championships, football matches, WWE wrestling, and UFC fights. Mohammed Abdo Arena and Kingdom Arena are among the key venues used for major events during the season.

Since its first launch in 2019, Riyadh Season has attracted millions of visitors, significantly increasing tourism revenue and positioning Riyadh as a premier destination for entertainment in the Middle East. The festival also serves as a cultural bridge, blending traditional Saudi heritage with modern global influences, and plays a strategic role in Saudi Arabia’s broader goals under Vision 2030 to develop its entertainment sectors and showcase openness to the world.