Junto Nakatani is building recognition pound for pound

Written by Oscar Pick

JUNTO Nakatani is one of boxing's most underrated gems. Whenever he steps into the ring, an electric performance is always guaranteed. However, when it comes to things that attract many people in this game, his name is rarely mentioned.

The 26-year-old is the threeweight world champion, ranked 10thth on Ring Magazine's pound-for-pound list and remains undefeated after delivering 27 one-sided beatdowns.

Instead of fighting for outright victories on points, however, Nakatani prefers to please his fans, at times, by taking unnecessary risks.

Even against top ranked opponents, the WBC bantamweight champion will often lead with hooks and uppercuts from long range, showing that he is always in control and therefore, can test the limits when he deserves it. .

He showed no signs of being in danger, breezed through all the acid tests with seemingly no fear of danger.

Before moving up to 118 lbs, Nakatani made his mark at super-flyweight after challenging former world champion Andrew Moloney with a well-timed left, earning him The Ring's 2023 prize.

Then, in his last outing against Alexandro Santiago earlier this year, the Japanese sensation finished the process, once again, with his left hand shot, stopping the former Mexican champion in the sixth round.

This Saturday (July 20), Nakatani will be defending his belt for the first time against Vincent Astrolabio, head to head world title fights in Japan.

Astrolabio's most notable win came with the late Guillermo Rigondeaux back in 2022, when he presented the once formidable operator with a fun but limited display.

In fact, there were big moments of the contest when the Filipino tried to counter the moves of Rigondeaux who, despite being 16 years superior to his opponent, had no problem when it came to using his learned footwork to get out of the pocket.

However, Astrolabio used this performance – followed by a comprehensive stoppage of Nikolai Potapov – as a way to secure a world title against Jason Moloney last year.

But, while competitive throughout the fight, the 27-year-old quickly ran out of ideas in the middle rounds, allowing Moloney to take over and ensure a majority decision.

While this may sound bleak, it's hard, based on his recent performance, to see Astrolabio holding a big advantage over Nakatani.

With strength being arguably his greatest asset, he may, however, be outmatched by his more skilled opponent, who not only has a heavy hand but also stops his shots with good range control.

For Nakatani, then, another glorious knockout is firmly on the cards, and while it would be unwise to ignore Astrolabio entirely, there is certainly a temptation for him to consider a potential unification with the rest of the bantamweights in the land of the rising sun.

Elsewhere on this weekend's card, fourweight world champion Kosei Tanaka will defend his WBO super-flyweight title for the first time against Jonathan Rodriguez.

Since his eighth-round loss to Kazuto Ioka in 2020, Tanaka has also picked up five victories in football.

The 29-year-old picked up his latest trinket at 115 lbs following his unanimous decision victory over Christian Bacasegua earlier this year, displaying a number of sharp fights combined with a selection of heavy tactics.

Meanwhile, his opponent will be fighting outside of Mexico for only the second time in his career.

Rodriguez has tested himself against former IBF long-time champion Jerwin Ancajas in Connecticut in 2021. After showing great stamina and determination to go the extra mile, he ended up losing his second pro.

The same story could happen when he faces Tanaka, another seasoned champion who, like Nakatani, will no doubt be looking to consolidate his division soon.

But with Jesse 'Bam' Rodriguez and Fernando Daniel Martinez – two fierce, explosive and, of course, rivals – taking the remaining belts, a move up to bantamweight, where he could become a five-division world champion, could be more. a reasonable option.