Junto Nakatani lands the physique shot that blitzed Vincent Astrolabio. Picture by Naoki Fukuda
Junto Nakatani wanted simply 157 seconds to vanquish his WBC bantamweight necessary challenger Vincent Astrolabio on the Ryogoku Sumo Enviornment in Tokyo on Saturday.
The three-weight world titleholder thrilled a sold-out crowd of 8,000 when he threw a fast proper jab and that caught Astrolabio on the gloves after which delivered a straight left that landed sq. on the naval and despatched the Filipino challenger all the way down to his knees, visibly in ache. He tried to rise however rapidly dropped again to his knees and was counted out by referee Thomas Taylor.
It was fairly the efficiency from Nakatani (28-0, 21 knockouts), The Ring’s No. 1-rated bantamweight, who was making the primary protection of his 118-pound title after shifting up from junior bantamweight earlier this yr. He regarded spectacular claiming his third title in as many weight courses when he stopped robust Mexican Alexandro Santiago in six rounds.
It seems to my eyes that Nakatani has improved and brought to the bantamweight division like a duck to water. He’s carried his energy up and if something seems to be much more devastating. Santiago was stopped for the primary time in 37 fights, whereas Astrolabio for the second time in 24 outings.
Quite a lot of the credit score for a way Nakatani has advanced ought to go to the fighter himself for his dedication but in addition the affable Rudy Hernandez, older brother of the late 130-pound champions Genaro Hernandez, who has skilled Nakatani in Los Angeles for the reason that now 26-year-old southpaw was 15. Each know one another inside out and have one another’s belief. Perhaps the 2 can be this technology’s Manny Pacquiao-Freddie Roach.
Blitzing Astrolabio, The Ring’s No. 7-rated bantamweight going into the struggle, was a transparent assertion of intent from Nakatani to greater than his fellow 118-pounders but in addition to Naoya Inoue.
Afterward Nakatani mentioned he’d wish to unify title and in addition talked about Inoue’s title. At the moment all of the bantamweight and junior featherweight {hardware} reside in Japan main some to playfully label the division “Japantamweight.”
It says right here Nakatani can be the favourite towards anybody at 118 and 122 kilos not named Naoya Inoue.
The bantamweight division in Japan has all the pieces, all 4 belts, star energy, expertise, punching energy, story strains and pound-for-pound standing, making it fairly the melting pot.
Ryosuke Nishida (9-0, 1 KO), The Ring’s No. 2-rated bantamweight, can also be a tall southpaw with tons of coronary heart as we noticed when he dethroned Emmanuel Rodriguez (UD 12) for the IBF title in Could.
Ryosuke Nishida clocks Emmanuel Rodriguez with a proper cross. Picture by Boxing Picture
He suffered some facial accidents in that struggle however is now again to full well being and was available to witness Nakatani’s win on Saturday. He’ll possible return earlier than the tip of the yr.
You might see Nishida making it tough for Nakatani at occasions, however this seems to be like a type of matchups the place you could have one excellent fighter and one who’s particular. Particular trumps excellent.
Takuma Inoue (20-1, 5 KOs), The Ring’s No. 3-rated bantamweight, has lengthy been in large brother Naoya’s illustrious shadow. He received a world title on the second time of asking final spring choosing up the vacant WBA belt towards ageless Liborio Solis (UD 12) although he didn’t significantly impress.
He had been as a result of defend towards Jerwin Ancajas final October however suffered a fractured rib and the struggle moved to February. As soon as heeled, Inoue scored arguably one of the best win of his profession stopping Ancajas (KO 9). He’s additionally since overwhelmed veteran Sho Ishida (UD 12).
Takuma Inoue defended his 118-pound title with a ninth-round knockout of Jerwin Ancajas. (Picture by Naoki Fukuda)
If Nakatani might safe a struggle with the youthful Inoue and beat him it will doubtlessly stoke the fireplace and the revenge angle to the last word struggle towards large brother.
Yoshiki Takei (9-0, 8 KOs), The Ring’s No. 4-rated bantamweight, could be very sturdy, aggressive and just a little harder to struggle than you’d anticipate as Jason Moloney would attest. Takei held off the late cost of Moloney to assert the WBO title in Could.
He’ll now face Daigo Higa in his maiden protection in what seems to be like a really thrilling shootout tabbed to happen on the undercard of Inoue-TJ Doheny on September 3.
Jason Moloney absorbs a shot from Yoshiki Takei. (Picture by Naoki Fukuda)
A gathering between Takei and fellow former MMA star turned boxer Tenshin Nasukawa (4-0, 2 KOs), who’s quickly bettering, can be a very fascinating matchup and draw much more eyeballs to what’s already a white-hot division, significantly in Japan.
There are additionally a number of different notable bantamweights who ply their commerce in Japan together with unbeaten Seiya Tsutsumi (11-0-2, 8 KOs), reigning OPBF beltholder Keita Kurihara (18-8-1, 16 KOs), who, regardless of a middling document, is sort of the gunslinger, and former WBC flyweight titlist Higa (21-2-1, 19 KOs), who has re-emerged after dropping his title with a number of wins and is poised for a world title shot.
How about fellow rising celebrity Jesse Rodriguez? He’s made fairly a reputation for himself and in addition has ties to Japan with (Teiken Promotions chairman) Mr. Honda. That may be a mega struggle.
Which leads us to…
‼️ The Monster 27-0 24KO’s @naoyainoue_410 vs @BoxerJunto 28-0 21KO’s is the largest Japanese Boxing struggle in historical past. 😮💨🔥 A FIGHT THAT’S BREWING 🥊🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/N5eJzq8D3E
— Bible of Boxing (@ringmagazine) July 20, 2024
And what a mouthwatering proposition that will be.
Indulge and humor me right here. Think about if Inoue simply retains doing what he’s been doing and beats Doheny, adopted by say Sam Goodman and Murodjon Akhmadaliev, in the meantime Nakatani cleans up at 118 towards Takuma Inoue, Nishida and Takei to turn into undisputed bantamweight champion.
All roads would lead to one another. Now if Inoue has already offered out the Tokyo Dome towards Luis Nery, think about how large a struggle can be together with his countryman with fierce native bragging rights on the road can be?
In fact that’s in an ideal world. Ee don’t stay in a single and boxing is way from one, however simply think about if a situation much like that performs out and we see each Japanese stars meet.
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