The unbeaten WBC Bantamweight Champion Junto Nakatani (30-0, 23 COs) has made easy work from previously unbeaten #6-sized contender David Cuellar (28-1, 18 COs), and on Monday night in an easy title in the third round Out of defense in the Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku in Tokyo, Japan.
The Stork-like 5’8 ″ Nakatani, 27, used his Pootjab to set up Cuellar with a large left hand that put him in the third round. Cuellar was too hurt to return to his feet, and referee Michael Griffin stopped the competition. The official time of the stop was at 3:04 of the third.
Cuellar no match
There was really not much fighting, because Cuellar had very little power and rushed forward and threw poor combinations. Nakatani took him down with straight left while he would charge forward. It was like shooting ducks. It was not a competition at all. The 118 pound division is quite weak at this point, so that’s what is the best opposition to Nakatani to fight in terms of contenders.
With the victory, Nakatani then focuses on the fight against IBF belt holder Ryosuke Nishida (10-0, 2 COs) in a unification. This is another example of how barren of quality the Bantam weight section is now. Nishida, 28, has only ten fights under his belt, but he is the IBF world champion at 118.
Nakatani intends to become undeniable in this section before moving up to 122 to challenge the undisputed Superbantamweight Champion Naoya ‘Monster’ inoue for his four belts. However, it is unclear whether Nakatani is worth staying at 118 to collect all the straps, because it can take a few more years unless his promoters throw a lot of money to the three champions.
Aged the sample
A positive that may come from Nakatani’s time -consuming purpose to try to become undeniable in this barren talent weight class is that it will age more. He is now 31, but by the time Nakatani has finished all the belts, he will be 33 or 34, older, slower and more vulnerable. It is smart on Junto’s side to aged ‘the monster’, but also pathetic in a way and not courageous.
Last updated on 02/24/2025
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