Mikito Nakano (Teiken), the undefeated OPBF Featherweight Champion with a record of 12 wins (11 KOs), currently ranked No. 8 by the IBF, No. 10 by the WBA and WBC, and No. 11 by the WBO, made his U.S. debut on May 4 (May 5 JST) at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, as part of a Top Rank event. In a 10-round featherweight bout, he faced former NABO champion Pedro Marquez (Puerto Rico), who entered the ring with a record of 16 wins (10 KOs) and 1 loss.
Making his U.S. ring debut, southpaw Mikito Nakano started calmly against the 15-fight win streak holder Pedro Marquez, keeping his preferred distance. He controlled the range with long left straights and sharp body uppercuts. Marquez tried to counter with his right hand, but it failed to land.
In the second round, Nakano landed a sharp one-two straight through the gap in Marquez’s guard, scoring a knockdown. It was the first knockdown of Marquez’s career. As he hit the canvas, he nodded as if acknowledging the legitimacy of the fall.
After the fight resumed, Nakano scored a second knockdown with a right hook, but the risen Marquez showed signs of fighting back.
In the third round, Nakano landed a clean left straight, scoring the third knockdown of the fight.
Marquez got back up again and charged forward with powerful right straights and left hooks, trying to pressure Nakano. However, Nakano stayed composed, calmly evaded the attacks, and looked to land a left counter.
In the fourth round, Nakano gave the relentless Marquez no opportunity to close the distance. He carefully observed his opponent’s movements, sneaking a left straight to the body through a small gap in the guard, then drove a right hook into the body, scoring the fourth knockdown of the fight.
Marquez got back up once again, but after the fight resumed, Nakano landed another right hook to the body. Unable to withstand the shot, Marquez dropped to his knees on the canvas. At that point, American referee Harvey Dock stepped in and stopped the fight.
TKO time: 1 minute 58 seconds of Round 4
“I was nervous until the bell rang,” admitted Nakano, but his dominant performance — scoring five knockdowns against Marquez, who had never been knocked down before — received high praise. His precise left straights, splitting the guard and targeting both head and body, were superb, hinting at world-level potential.
Not long ago, when Teiken Gym trainer Sendo Tanaka was asked, “Who is the next world champion prospect?” he immediately answered, “Mikito Nakano.”
Nakano himself stated, “I want to come back and fight in the U.S. again.” All eyes are now on his next bout.
Having known Mikito Nakano since he was in elementary school, it’s truly heartwarming to see how much he has grown!
This article has been translated and published with permission from BOXING MASTER.
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