Connect with us

Boxing

Ring Ratings Update: Junto Nakatani Moves Up to 9th in P4P Rankings

Published

on

Junto Nakatani lands a body blow that crushes Vincent Astrolabio. Photo by Naoki Fukuda

Junto Nakatani has caught the attention of die-hard boxing fans since he started in the flyweight division, but bantamweight looks set to be the best weight class yet for the 26-year-old three-division world titleholder.

Nakatani (28-0, 21 KO) quickly defended his first WBC 118-pound title, defeating experienced fighters Vincent’s Astrolabe body blow in the first round of the main event at the Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo on July 20.

The fight aired live on ESPN+ early in the morning in the U.S. The left-handed boxer is no stranger to the platform thanks to his Japanese promoter’s close working relationship with Top Rank, which announced an official co-promotional deal with Nakatani earlier this week.

The oldest promotion company in the U.S. and the sports network giant know a special talent when they see it. And Nakatani, who has trained in Southern California with veteran trainer Rudy Hernandez since he was a teenager, is a talent who can build a fan base in his native Japan and the U.S.

Nakatani’s impressive victories over Angel Acosta (in defense of the WBO flyweight title in September 2021) and Andrew Moloney (KO of the Year 2023 for the WBO 115-pound belt) took place in the USA and was broadcast on ESPN.

Nakatani broke Moloney down with a vicious uppercut. Photo by Naoki Fukuda

His last three fights – a defense of the WBO 115-pound title against Argi Cortes, a knockout in a fight for the WBC bantamweight title Alexandra Santiagoand the first round of Astrolabio – all were broadcast on “The Plus” channel in Japan.

Going forward, U.S. fans can expect to see Nakatani fight in America at least once a year. Wherever he fights, he will be presented as one of the best fighters, pound for pound, in the sport.

As a national level prospect who was just starting out at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Nakatani collected the scalps of two future world champions – Masamichi Yabuki (currently the sixth junior flyweight in The Ring rankings) and Seigo Yuri Akui (Current WBA flyweight title holder and #2 contender in The Ring).

In 2019 and 2020, he scored back-to-back knockouts of seasoned Filipino veterans Milan Melindo and Giemel Magramo – both ranked by The Ring at the time. Magramo’s victory earned Nakatani his first world title, the vacant WBO 112-pound belt, and he has defeated six Ring-ranked fighters in his seventh fight. Astrolabio (19-5, 14 KOs) entered the fight as a bantamweight contender ranked by The Ring as No. 7.

“Nakatani crushed his WBC mandatory challenger (Astrolabio) in the first round,” he said Anson Wainwright“Nakatani threw down the gauntlet to other bantamweight fighters and also gave a sign Naoya Inoue. Can’t wait.

“Move Nakatani overtook Errol Spence in the pound-for-pound rankings.

The Ring Classification Panel unanimously supported Wainwright’s suggestion.

Nakatani needed just one left punch to the midsection of Astrolabio to defend his 118-pound title. Photo by Naoki Fukuda

RING RATINGS UPDATE (as of July 20):

POUND FOR POUNDNakatani moves up to No. 9.

WELTERWEIGHTAlexis Rocha remains in ninth place, having defeated previously undefeated Santiago Dominguez on points in 10 rounds.

ROOSTER WEIGHT – Nakatani remains in 1st place. Astrolabio leaves. Seiya Tsutsumi (11-0-2, 8 KOs) comes in at number 10.

Wainwright suggested former flyweight titleholder Daigo Higa, who has been fighting at 118 pounds since 2020, to sign up with the number 10.

Jake Donovan Tsutsumi suggested.

Added Wasim Mather: “I don’t mind Higa coming in at No. 10 in the bantamweight division, but he’s faced a few Thai fighters recently who, while world-class, are past their prime, like Sirichai Thaiyen and Nawaphon (who lost to Astrolabio). He’s fighting for the WBO bantamweight title in September, so coming in at No. 10 seems about right to me. But is there anyone else we could consider?”

I also played with Tsutsumi,” he said. Wainwright“He and Higa fought to a (10-round) draw (in October 2020). I know what Wasim means when he says the Thais are past their prime, but Higa beat Nawaphon in four rounds, while Astrolabio went 11 rounds and it was not without controversy. So I thought it was a good tie-breaker.”

Added Daisuke Sugiura: “Tsutsumi or Higa is tough. Higa is still the bigger name, but I have nothing against Tsutsumi, who beat two great Japanese players: (Kazuki) Anaguchi and (Riku) Masuda last year.”

your favourite Editor in Chief agreed with Donovan’s suggestion.

JUNIOR BANNER WEIGHTJonathan Rodriguez leaves the rankings after failing to make the weight needed to fight for the title Kosei Tanaka by over six pounds (which prevented him from fighting and kept him from playing sports for over a year). KJ Kataraja (17-0, 13 KOs) comes in at number 10.

“There is no obvious candidate,” it was admitted Wainwright“so I’ll suggest Argi Cortes. He wasn’t up to the task, but he kept up with (Juan Francisco) Estrada and Nakatani.”

Donovan Cataraja suggested (which was also signed by Yours Truly).

I like KJ Cataraja,” he said. “There’s no powerful choice for 10, but I’m not a fan of judging guys based on losing in a competition without qualifying wins.”

HOUSEFLYAnthony Olascuaga enters at number 8 after defeating Riku Kano in three rounds to win the vacant WBO belt.

Anthony Olascuaga earned KO of the Year against Riku Kano. Photo by Naoki Fukuda

Wainwright No. 10 was suggested. Adam Abramowitz No. 9 was suggested. Donovan a maximum of no. 7 was suggested.

JUNIOR WEIGHT FLYCarlos Canizales remains in 5th place after winning a 12-round majority decision over Ivan Balderas.

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Boxing

Ryan Rozicki is waiting for Badou Jack’s consent to mandatory cooperation with the WBC

Published

on

Badou Jack Rozicki Mikaelian WBC

The World Boxing Council (WBC) ordered world cruiserweight champion Badou “The Ripper” Jack (20-1-1, 19 KO) to make a mandatory title defense against Ryan “The Bruiser” Rozicki (20-1), number 1 in the WBC ranking – 1, 19 KOs).

If both camps fail to successfully negotiate an agreement, the WBC will organize a tender on February 4, followed by the Jack vs. Rozicki. Rozicki’s promoter, Three Lions Promotions, immediately sent Team Jacek an offer to promote the fight in Canada last week.

“We are waiting for their counteroffer,” explained promoter Dan Otter of Three Lions Promotions. “Boxing has had a huge resurgence in Canada and Ryan is leading the way. He is one of the most electrifying and hardest-hitting fighters in boxing, definitely in the cruiserweight division. He wants the WBC green belt and ultimately the unification of the division. Ryan will fight Jack anywhere for the belt.”

29-year-old Rozicki, born in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and living in Hamilton (Ontario), fought 22 professional fights against 21 different opponents (twice against Yamil Alberto Peralta), stopping 19 of the 20 opponents he defeated. an eye-opening 95-KO percentage.

Jack, 41, was a 2008 Olympian representing his native Sweden. He is a three-division world champion, as well as the WBC super middleweight and World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight heavyweight title holder. Jack has a record of 5-0-2 (2 KO) in world championship fights.

“We respect Jack and I don’t want to sound disrespectful,” Otter added, “but he’s over 40 years vintage and has been relatively inactive for two years (only one fight). He brings a lot of experience and respect to the ring, but he will fight a newborn defender with a lot of power. Jack is going to struggle and honestly, I don’t think he’ll make it past the first few rounds.”

Ryan Rozicki is on a mission to become the first Canadian cruiserweight world champion.

The next move is Badou Jack’s.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Floyd Mayweather’s record is not normal, it can’t happen in 70 years

Published

on

Floyd Mayweather 50-0

Floyd Mayweather’s incredible 50-0 record is not normal and cannot be repeated in sports for another seventy years.

This is the view of Saudi Arabian president Turki Alalshikh, who wants to adopt the UFC model in which fighters lose many fights during their career.

In a speech as he hosted the Ring Magazine Awards after acquiring the long-running boxing publication from Oscar De La Hoya, Alalshikh was unequivocal in his opinion.

“Now losing some fights in boxing must be normal,” he explained. “All fighters want a career similar to Floyd Mayweather – no losses. This may happen once every 50, 60 or 70 years.

“We need it [to be] like currently in the UFC model, where champions lose and win,” added the matchmaker during the Riyad season.

Mayweather rose through the sport in the tardy 1990s to become one of its youngest superstars. Mayweather’s professional success came after winning a bronze medal at the Olympics after losing to Serafim Todorov.

Winning world titles in five weight classes, Mayweather was untouchable. The Grand Rapids native only came close to defeat a few times. He dominated Manny Pacquiao and overtook Canelo Alvarez and Oscar De La Hoya after heated debates, with decisions that should have been made unanimously.

Towards the end of his career, Mayweather chose to face Andre Berto and Conor McGregor, easily winning and ending his boxing career at the age of 50 without ever going out. Calling himself “the greatest of all time,” Mayweather earned first-ballot Hall of Fame honors and is widely considered one of, if not the greatest defensive fighter of all time.

However, Alalshikh says this type of career needs to end so that fans can get the most out of boxing, as is the case with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Boxing needs to become more attractive, and Alalshikh sees the failures of top stars as a way to keep interest at an all-time high.

In this sport, many boxers enjoy undefeated streaks, the most notable of which is Oleksandr Usyk. The Ukrainian Pound for Pound King is 23-0 and has beaten the best he has to offer in his division and cruiserweight classification.

It remains a mystery how Alalshikh plans to make Usyk suffer while he dominates everyone else. By the time his grand plan goes into action, Usyk will be long gone, and Gervonta Davis, Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney may be more realistic targets.

Continue Reading

Boxing

Manny Pacquiao remains the favorite to win the title against Mario Barrios

Published

on

Manny Pacquiao vs Barrios

WBN understands that despite alternative options emerging, it is more likely that Manny Pacquiao will face Mario Barrios next.

Bob Santos, coach of WBC welterweight champion Barrios, told World Boxing News that he is currently in contact with Pacquiao’s team. Asked by WBN if he had spoken to Pacquiao or representatives of any other challenger, Santos replied: “Yes, Pacquiao’s promoter, Sean Gibbons.” Pressed on whether Barrios vs Pacquiao might happen next, he added: “It’s challenging to say. We’ll have to see how this plays out.”

WBN contacted Santos after Conor Benn emerged as a potential alternative to Barrios. The British fighter, who recently returned from a suspension following two positive drug tests, is keen to return to competition.

Benn showed favor with the World Boxing Council at the recent WBC Convention, the WBC Evaluation Committee and during an interview with the sanctioning body over the weekend. “The Destroyer” is ranked second in the rankings at 147 pounds, despite less than solid opponents during his time in exile, during which Benn competed twice in the United States while his career in the United Kingdom was in doubt.

As he battled to clear his name and with the British Anti-Doping Authority finding no evidence that Benn had intentionally taken ostarine, the 28-year-old’s career took a pointed nosedive. Despite this, he remains highly rated and at least one step away from fighting for an eliminator or one of the remaining championship titles.

However, Pacquiao remains Barrios’ favorite. Now it’s up to the boxing legend and Hall of Famer who got the first votes to secure his shot. WBN believes a July date – most likely at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas – is the most realistic date for a Nevada swan song.

Pacquiao could extend his record as the oldest welterweight champion by six years if he can secure a huge victory over the 29-year-old world champion. At 46 years antique, such a scenario remains unlikely, but he can never be compared to one of the greatest players of this generation.

Unlike heavier boxers and his training regiment, Pacquiao looks in great shape despite his advanced age. Everything is set for a massive return to the boxing capital of the world, provided Pacquiao and his team can manage his political ambitions, which are expected to run from this month until May. After that time, Pacquiao could find himself in the summer finals and become the all-time champion, regardless of the result.

Barrios is based in the city, where he trained with Santos, and would be the perfect opponent to see out the career of one of the greatest fighters in history.

Continue Reading
Advertisement

OUR NEWSLETTER

Subscribe Us To Receive Our Latest News Directly In Your Inbox!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Trending