June 8, at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo — WBC and IBF Bantamweight World Title Unification Bout: WBC Champion “Big Bang” Junto Nakatani (M.T.) — 30 wins, no losses (23 KOs) vs. IBF Champion Ryosuke Nishida (Mutsushima) — 10 wins, no losses (2 KOs). Featured on “Prime Video Boxing 13.”
At last, a world bantamweight title unification bout between two Japanese fighters has come to fruition. Ryosuke Nishida, who gladly accepted the challenge from Junto Nakatani, entered the ring with a calm and composed expression.
The ring announcer was Jimmy Lennon Jr. (USA). The bout was also broadcast in the United States by ESPN.
Both fighters were filled with fighting spirit even before the opening bell.
In the opening round, Nakatani charged at Nishida as soon as the bell rang.
Nakatani came out in full throttle, unleashing powerful left and right uppercuts.
Nakatani came at Nishida with an unprecedented style, determined to overwhelm him.
Nakatani, who said he was “looking to inflict damage,” launched an early offensive, while Nishida responded with short punches from the inside. There were moments when Nakatani was forced to step back.
Despite the power of Nakatani’s punches, Nishida did not flinch and fought back.
Amid the fierce back-and-forth exchanges, Nakatani sensed that Nishida was starting to take damage.
Nishida’s straight lefts from the inside repeatedly posed a threat to Nakatani.
In the fourth round, despite swelling around his right eye, Nishida continued to land his signature short punches. All three judges scored the round in favor of Nishida.
From the opening round, Nakatani set out to throw Nishida off his rhythm.
With his right eye swollen, Nishida gradually began to struggle.
Nakatani’s jab landed on Nishida’s swollen right eye.
In the fifth round, despite taking a hard left straight from Nakatani, Nishida fought back with determination.
As Nishida began throwing fewer right-hand punches, he was seen icing his right shoulder in the corner.
In the sixth round, with Nishida’s right eye nearly swollen shut, the doctor was called in for a check.
Nakatani relentlessly attacked Nishida without mercy.
Nakatani’s powerful left uppercut landed cleanly on Nishida’s jaw.
At the end of the sixth round, Nishida retired from the fight. Edagawa, the head of Mutsushima Gym, held Nishida’s right shoulder with a look of deep regret.
With the WBC and IBF belts draped over his shoulders, Nakatani was announced the winner by referee Fukuchi.
Nishida, who reportedly injured his right shoulder in the third round, is suspected to have suffered a rotator cuff injury following a joint dislocation. He canceled the post-fight press conference and headed straight to the hospital.
At the end of the sixth round, all three scorecards had Nakatani in the lead: 59-55, 58-56, and 58-56.
Having unified the titles in the most physically demanding and rough fight of his career, Nakatani said, “Thanks to Nishida, I was able to grow. That’s why being a unified champion carries real weight.” He paid tribute to Nishida with those words.
Then, turning to Naoya Inoue (Ohashi Gym) — the undisputed super bantamweight world champion with a record of 30 wins and no losses (27 KOs), who was watching ringside — Nakatani smiled and said, “I’ll be coming for you soon, so please wait for me.”
With a super fight against Inoue planned for next May at the Tokyo Dome, Nakatani commented on his future, saying, “I have more options now. I’m also considering moving up in weight.” Given his growing frame, it’s highly likely that he will move up in weight sooner rather than later, with the Inoue fight in mind.
I had predicted that Junto Nakatani would struggle against Ryosuke Nishida, but he dominated with his uppercuts. Hats off to him. My expectations for a super fight with Naoya Inoue have only grown!
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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