Nakatani Retains WBC Bantamweight Title with Dominant Performance
In a thrilling matchup, Junto Nakatani successfully defended his WBC bantamweight title against Petch Sor Chitpattana in Tokyo on Monday. The 26-year-old Japanese boxer delivered a stunning sixth-round TKO victory, showcasing his impressive skills and solidifying his position as one of the top boxers in the world.
A Tactical Start
The fight began with a cautious approach from both southpaws, each feeling out the other in the first three rounds. However, Chitpattana, hailing from Thailand, decided to take a more aggressive stance in Round 4, applying pressure and engaging Nakatani in intense exchanges on the inside. Despite this, Nakatani managed to gain the upper hand, utilizing his powerful left hand to devastating effect.
A Crushing Finish
The sixth round saw Nakatani floor Chitpattana twice, with the second knockdown prompting the referee to stop the fight without a count, just one second shy of the round’s end. This marked the first time Chitpattana had been knocked down in his 77-fight career. Nakatani’s dominance was evident, as he improved his record to 28-0 with 21 KOs.
Looking to the Future
Following his victory, Nakatani expressed his desire to face any champion willing to step into the ring with him. Japanese star Naoya Inoue has suggested a potential matchup between Nakatani and his brother, Takuma, although the latter recently lost his bantamweight title to Seiya Tsutsumi. Nevertheless, plans are underway for Nakatani to challenge Naoya Inoue for the undisputed junior featherweight championship next summer at the Tokyo Dome.
Pound-for-Pound Ambitions
Nakatani’s ultimate goal is to become the pound-for-pound number one in boxing. With his impressive performance against Chitpattana, he took another step closer to achieving his dream. As the current ESPN number one boxer at 118 pounds, Nakatani is well-positioned for a potential title unification bout, with all four bantamweight champions hailing from Japan.
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