Junto Nakatani lands the physique shot that blitzed Vincent Astrolabio. Picture by Naoki Fukuda
Junto Nakatani has been turning the heads of hardcore boxing aficionados since he campaigned at flyweight, however bantamweight appears to be like to be one of the best weight class but for the 26-year-old three-division world titleholder.
Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs) made the primary protection of his WBC 118-pound title a fast outing by blasting battle-tested Vicente Astrolabio with a physique shot within the opening spherical of their important occasion on the Kokugikan sumo area in Tokyo on July 20.
The bout was streamed dwell on ESPN+ within the early morning hours within the U.S. The southpaw boxer-puncher isn’t any stranger to the platform due to an in depth relationship between his Japanese promoter and High Rank, which introduced an official co-promotional settlement with Nakatani earlier this week.
The oldest promotional firm within the U.S. and the sports activities community big acknowledge a particular expertise once they see it. And Nakatani, who has skilled in Southern California with veteran coach Rudy Hernandez since he was an adolescent, is a expertise that may construct fan bases in his native Japan and within the U.S.
Nakatani’s spectacular victories towards Angel Acosta (in protection of his WBO flyweight belt in September 2021) and Andrew Moloney (the 2023 KO of the Yr for the WBO 115-pound strap) happened within the U.S. and had been televised on ESPN.
Nakatani gruadually broke down Moloney with vicious uppercuts. Picture by Naoki Fukuda
His final three bouts – a WBO 115-pound title protection towards Argi Cortes, WBC bantamweight belt-winning KO of Alexandro Santiago, and the first-round blitz of Astrolabio – had been all streamed on “The Plus” from Japan.
Going ahead, U.S. followers can anticipate to see Nakatani battle in America at the least every year. Wherever he fights, he’ll be launched as top-of-the-line fighters, pound for pound, within the sport.
As a domestic-level prospect arising on the Korakuen Corridor circuit in Tokyo, Nakatani collected the scalps of two future world titleholders – Masamichi Yabuki (at present The Ring’s No. 6-rated junior flyweight) and Seigo Yuri Akui (the present WBA flyweight beltholder and The Ring’s No. 2 contender).
He scored back-to-back stoppages of seasoned Filipino veterans Milan Melindo and Giemel Magramo – each Ring-rated on the time – in 2019 and 2020. The Magramo victory earned Nakatani his first world title, the vacant WBO 112-pound belt, and he’s defeated six Ring-rated fighters in seven subsequent bouts. Astrolabio (19-5, 14 KOs) entered their bout as The Ring’s No. 7-rated bantamweight.
“Nakatani smashed his WBC necessary challenger (Astrolabio) within the opening spherical,” mentioned Anson Wainwright. “Nakatani threw down the gauntlet to the opposite bantamweights and likewise a nod to Naoya Inoue. I can’t wait.
“Transfer Nakatani above Errol Spence within the pound-for-pound rankings.”
The Ring Rankings Panel unanimously agreed with Wainwright’s suggestion.
Nakatani solely wanted a single left to Astrolabio’s abdomen to defend his 118-pound title. Picture by Naoki Fukuda
RING RATINGS UPDATE (as of July 20):
POUND-FOR-POUND – Nakatani advances to No. 9.
WELTERWEIGHT – Alexis Rocha stays at No. 9 after outpointing beforehand unbeaten Santiago Dominguez over 10 rounds.
BANTAMWEIGHT – Nakatani stays at No. 1. Astrolabio exits. Seiya Tsutsumi (11-0-2, 8 KOs) enters at No. 10.
Wainwright urged former flyweight beltholder Daigo Higa, who has campaigned at 118 kilos since 2020, to enter at No. 10.
Jake Donovan urged Tsutsumi.
Added Wasim Mather: “I don’t thoughts Higa coming in at No. 10 at bantamweight, however lately he’s confronted some Thai opponents who, whereas world-ranked, are previous their primes – like Sirichai Thaiyen and Nawaphon (who misplaced to Astrolabio). He’s preventing for the WBO bantamweight title in September, so bringing him in at No. 10 appears positive to me. Nonetheless, is there anybody else we will contemplate?”
“I additionally toyed with Tsutsumi,” mentioned Wainwright. “He and Higa fought to a (10-round) draw (in October 2020). I do know what Wasim means concerning the Thais being previous their greatest however Higa took Nawaphon out in 4, whereas Astrolabio went 11 and it wasn’t with out controversy. So I believed that was a very good tie-breaker.”
Added Daisuke Sugiura: “Tsutsumi or Higa is tough. Higa continues to be an even bigger identify however I’m additionally OK with Tsutsumi, who beat two qualityJapanese fighters in (Kazuki) Anaguchi and (Riku) Masuda final yr.”
Your favourite Editor-In-Chief agreed with Donovan’s suggestion.
JUNIOR BANTAMWEIGHT – Jonathan Rodriguez exits the rankings after failing to make weight for his title shot at Kosei Tanaka by greater than six kilos (thus nixing the battle and leaving him inactive for greater than a yr). KJ Cataraja (17-0, 13 KOs) enters at No. 10.
“No apparent candidate,” admitted Wainwright, “so I’ll counsel Argi Cortes. He’s come up quick however hung with (Juan Francisco) Estrada and Nakatani.”
Donovan urged Cataraja (which was co-signed by Yours Actually).
“I like KJ Cataraja,” he mentioned. “No actual sturdy alternative for 10 however I’m not a fan of rating guys off of a aggressive loss with out qualifying wins.”
FLYWEIGHT – Anthony Olascuaga enters at No. 8 after blasting Riku Kano in three rounds for the vacant WBO belt.
Anthony Olascuaga scored KO of the Yr candidate vs. Riku Kano. Picture by Naoki Fukuda
Wainwright urged No. 10. Adam Abramowitz urged No. 9. Donovan urged as excessive as No. 7.
JUNIOR FLYWEIGHT – Carlos Canizales stays at No. 5 following a 12-round majority choice over Ivan Balderas.
