This is a collection of photos chosen by AP photo editors.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with President Nayib Bukele at his residence at Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, sits across from Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez, left, and Vice President Karin Herrera during a meeting at the National Palace in Guatemala City, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo reach out to shake hands at the end of their joint news conference at the National Palace in Guatemala City, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo arrive to give a joint news conference at the National Palace in Guatemala City, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves leave after giving a joint news conference at the presidential palace in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves goodbye as he boards a plane at Juan Santamaria International Airport near San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, en route to Guatemala. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tours the Miraflores Locks, guided by Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricuarte Vásquez, fourth from right, in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves arrive to give a joint news conference at the presidential palace in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Chargé d'Affaires John Barrett of the United States Embassy introduces Secretary of State Marco Rubio to employees and families during a meet-and-greet in Panama City, Panama, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
People arrive to board a repatriation flight bound for Colombia at Albrook Airport in Panama City, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco pose for a photo after signing a memorandum of understanding regarding civil nuclear cooperation between their countries at the Intercontinental Real Hotel in San Salvador, El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to employees and families during a meet-and-greet at the United States Embassy in Panama City Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with President Nayib Bukele at his residence at Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricuarte Vásquez, right, tour the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
People watch Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a meet-and-greet with employees and family at the United States Embassy in Panama City Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves give a joint news conference at the presidential palace in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco, left, welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio upon his arrival to the international airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio boards a plane at Panama Pacifico International Airport in Panama City, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, en route to El Salvador. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Protesters march against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, meets with President Nayib Bukele at his residence at Lake Coatepeque, El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with President Nayib Bukele at his residence at Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricuarte Vásquez talk during a tour of the Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, second right, meets with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino at the presidential palace in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Panama's President Jose Mulino, right, and Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the presidential palace in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, second right, meets with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, left, at the presidential palace in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Protesters burn posters depicting President Donald Trump during a rally against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha waves to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he departs the presidential palace in Panama City after meeting with President Jose Mulino, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Panama's President Jose Mulino, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive for a meeting at the presidential palace in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Police block protesters rallying against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media during a visit to the aircraft maintenance firm Aeroman in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, fourth from left, tours the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, third from right, tours the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
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U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with President Nayib Bukele at his residence at Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, sits across from Guatemalan Foreign Affairs Minister Carlos Ramiro Martinez, left, and Vice President Karin Herrera during a meeting at the National Palace in Guatemala City, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo reach out to shake hands at the end of their joint news conference at the National Palace in Guatemala City, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo arrive to give a joint news conference at the National Palace in Guatemala City, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves leave after giving a joint news conference at the presidential palace in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio waves goodbye as he boards a plane at Juan Santamaria International Airport near San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025, en route to Guatemala. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio tours the Miraflores Locks, guided by Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricuarte Vásquez, fourth from right, in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves arrive to give a joint news conference at the presidential palace in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Chargé d'Affaires John Barrett of the United States Embassy introduces Secretary of State Marco Rubio to employees and families during a meet-and-greet in Panama City, Panama, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
People arrive to board a repatriation flight bound for Colombia at Albrook Airport in Panama City, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, right, and El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco pose for a photo after signing a memorandum of understanding regarding civil nuclear cooperation between their countries at the Intercontinental Real Hotel in San Salvador, El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to employees and families during a meet-and-greet at the United States Embassy in Panama City Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with President Nayib Bukele at his residence at Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, center, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricuarte Vásquez, right, tour the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
People watch Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a meet-and-greet with employees and family at the United States Embassy in Panama City Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves give a joint news conference at the presidential palace in San Jose, Costa Rica, Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
El Salvador's Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco, left, welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio upon his arrival to the international airport in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Secretary of State Marco Rubio boards a plane at Panama Pacifico International Airport in Panama City, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, en route to El Salvador. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Protesters march against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, meets with President Nayib Bukele at his residence at Lake Coatepeque, El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with President Nayib Bukele at his residence at Lake Coatepeque in El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, left, and Panama Canal Authority Administrator Ricuarte Vásquez talk during a tour of the Miraflores Locks in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, second right, meets with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino at the presidential palace in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Panama's President Jose Mulino, right, and Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha meet with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the presidential palace in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, second right, meets with Panamanian President Jose Raul Mulino, left, at the presidential palace in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Protesters burn posters depicting President Donald Trump during a rally against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
Panama's Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha waves to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio as he departs the presidential palace in Panama City after meeting with President Jose Mulino, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Panama's President Jose Mulino, left, and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrive for a meeting at the presidential palace in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
Police block protesters rallying against U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's visit in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks to the media during a visit to the aircraft maintenance firm Aeroman in San Luis Talpa, El Salvador, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, fourth from left, tours the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, third from right, tours the Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal in Panama City, Sunday, Feb. 2, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, Pool)
TOKYO (AP) — Naoya Inoue retained his undisputed super-bantamweight crown with a unanimous decision victory over Junto Nakatani on Saturday in one of the biggest bouts in Japanese boxing history.
Two judges scored the fight 116-112, while one had it 115-113, all in favor of Inoue after 12 rounds before a sell-out crowd of 55,000 at the Tokyo Dome.
Inoue (33-0, 27 KOs) kept his WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO belts — and then apologized for not delivering a knockout.
The 33-year-old Inoue, nicknamed “The Monster” and hailed as Japan's greatest boxer, also praised Nakatani (32-1, 24 KOs).
“He was a fighter with a strong heart. That’s what makes this win mean so much,” said Inoue, a four-division champion.
The highly anticipated bout galvanized fans here for the past year with former champions and other experts offering commentary. Most predictions had favored Inoue because of his experience, speed and power.
The fight amply displayed both boxers’ dexterity, in offense and defense, with both taking nice swings as well as jabs, but a lot simply failed to land.
The 28-year-old Nakatani, a southpaw, used his longer reach to keep Inoue’s punches at bay, while Inoue simply swayed his body or got out of the way.
The challenger became more aggressive after the sixth round, moving forward to try to land punches. But Inoue used his quick footwork to evade them, landing some jabs back in the process.
“I came prepared so there were no surprises, but the champion was great,” a somber Nakatani said after absorbing his first professional loss.
Nakatani suffered a cut above his left eye in what appeared to come from an accidental clash of heads, and officials said he was going to a hospital afterward to get it checked.
In a closely watched undercard, Inoue’s younger brother Takuma (22-2, 5 KOs) beat former four-division champion Kazuto Ioka (32-5-1, 17 KOs) by unanimous decision to retain his WBC bantamweight title.
“I really enjoyed the 12 exciting rounds, all thanks to my opponent, who is a legend,” Takuma Inoue said. “I want to prove I’m not just Naoya Inoue’s brother.”
Still, Takuma prevented Ioka from becoming a five-division champion, handing that possible honor to his brother, believed to have a good chance of doing just that.
The story of the Inoue brothers, who took up boxing as youngsters and grew up in loving families that encouraged their pursuit, is well known among boxing fans here. Their father Shingo Inoue was at ringside for both fighters, as always.
There was no doubt the big all-Japanese fight had endeared fans to both the skills and personalities of the boxers.
Michifumi Hori, one such fan, proudly wore an Inoue T-shirt and said he was cheering for both Inoue brothers.
“This is something you can’t hope to see for another 50 years,” he said. “I love boxing because it’s about becoming world champion.”
Yuri Kageyama is on Threads: https://www.threads.com/@yurikageyama
AP boxing: https://apnews.com/boxing
Naoya Inoue of Japan, right, celebrates as he beat Junto Nakatani of Japan in a boxing match for the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super bantamweight world title in Tokyo, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Junto Nakatani, right, of Japan fights Naoya Inoue of Japan during the sixth round of a boxing match for the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super bantamweight world title in Tokyo, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Naoya Inoue of Japan, left, fights Junto Nakatani of Japan during second round of a boxing match for the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super bantamweight world title in Tokyo, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Naoya Inoue of Japan, right, raises his arms as he beat Junto Nakatani of Japan in a boxing match for the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super bantamweight world title in Tokyo, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)
Naoya Inoue of Japan, left, punches Junto Nakatani of Japan during the tenth round of a boxing match for the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO super bantamweight world title in Tokyo, Saturday, May 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)