Junto Nakatani Makes Quick Work Of Vincent Astrolabio
At the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan, the WBC bantamweight title was at stake as the defending champion, Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21KO), battled mandatory challenger Vincent Astrolabio (19-5, 14KO).
Nakatani has become one of the most talked-about fighters in boxing’s lower-weight divisions. Having already won world titles at 112 and 115 pounds, the hard-hitting boxer from Japan won the WBC 118-pound strap with a six-round stoppage over Alexandro Santiago on February 24 in Tokyo.
This was the second world title opportunity for Astrolabio. The Filipino fighter previously lost by split decision to Jason Moloney for the vacant WBO bantamweight title in May 2023. Astrolabio rebounded from that setback and became the WBC mandatory challenger with an eleventh-round stoppage over Nawaphon Sor Rungivisai in August 2023.
ONE-SHOT BOOM
This one was over before the fans got time to get settled in their seats. Nakatani spent the opening minute sizing-up Astrolabio. The champion quickly discovered that he could connect to the body. With under forty seconds to go in the opening round, Nakatani landed a beauty of a straight left hand to the pit of the stomach that put Astrolabio down. The challenger attempted to get up, only to go back down, still in pain from the body shot. Clearly in distress, the referee waved the fight over.
Nakatani is establishing himself as one of the dominant fighters in the sport. Afterward, he said he wanted to unify and called for a showdown with the reigning WBA champion at 118, Takuma Inoue.
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