While Junto Nakatani is a three-weight world champion, pound-for-pound contender and current WBC bantamweight champion, three of his compatriots are regaining solid ground behind him as champions in the same pision.
If you weigh 118 pounds and want to win a world title, then you have to go through Japan to do so. Why? Because all the currently recognizable bantamweight titles are held by Japanese citizens.
Nakatani, who will fight Filipino star Vincent Astrolabio in Tokyo on July 20, has established himself as one of the most exciting fighters at the elite level. While his southpaw skills and hand speed are obvious, it is his thunderous punching power that is causing a stir.
LOOK: Together Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio, exclusively on ESPN+
At just 26 years old, Nakatani has won titles at flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight. In his February debut at 118 pounds, he defeated Alexandro Santiago for the title he currently holds, and unifying the pision is now a priority.
The Jugo Mobile looks at the three fights Nakatani would need to win to secure bantamweight supremacy.
Can Junto Nakatani defeat Ryosuke Nishida?
- Nishida’s record: 9-0 (1 knockout)
- Title held by: FIB
Nishida is just nine fights into his professional career and is already a world champion. In May, the 27-year-old southpaw won a 12-round unanimous decision over two-time world champion Emmanuel Rodriguez to win the IBF crown and open the door to the big leagues.
However, the problem Nishida would have against Nakatani is a lack of punching power. While the Japanese star managed to knock Rodriguez down in the fourth round of that fight, he only has one knockout on his resume.
Bottom line: If Nakatani isn’t afraid of what’s coming, then he becomes an even bigger problem.
Prediction: Nakatani by KO
More: How good is Junto Nakatani? Japan’s top five pound-for-pound boxers
Can Junto Nakatani defeat Takuma Inoue?
- Inoue’s record: 20-1 (5 knockouts)
- Title held by: AMB
Without hyperbole, Takuma, the younger brother of pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue, is one of the most improved fighters in world boxing.
In 2019, Takuma lost a decision to then WBC champion Nordine Oubaali and seemed a long way from reaching world level. However, since then, he has won seven fights in a row, three of them world title fights, and is in the best shape of his life.
One simply feels that Nakatani is too elusive for the WBA champion at the moment. Takuma may have the class and ring smarts to see out the final bell, but a win over Nakatani seems unlikely at this point.
Prediction: Nakatani UD 12
Can Junto Nakatani defeat Yoshiki Takei?
- Takei’s record: 9-0 (8 knockouts)
- Title held by: OMB
The showdown between Nakatani and WBO boss Yoshiki Takei may be the most exciting of the three fights, and also the shortest.
Takei, another southpaw, is a former kickboxer and a powerful offensive force. In May, he won a 12-round unanimous decision over Jason Moloney to claim the WBO title, surviving a late comeback by the amiable Australian to become champion against the odds.
Nakatani is on another level. While Takei has knocked out eight of nine opponents as a pro, he doesn’t have the skill, speed or experience of his countryman. By comparison, Takei is tough and it’s a dangerous fight for him right now.
Prediction: Nakatani by KO
In short, Nakatani could become the undisputed bantamweight champion in 12 months if the fights are scheduled. There is simply no one who can stop him!
