Junto Nakatani to Defend WBO Title Against Cristian Gonzalez On Golovkin-Murata Undercard
On October 28, 3KingsBoxing reported that IBF world middleweight champion Gennady Golvkin travels to Japan to face WBA ‘super’ world middleweight champ Ryota Murata on December 29 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. The fight will air globally on DAZN and locally on Amazon Prime Video in Japan. At the time, it was unclear who would appear on the undercard. Here’s an update.
During a press event in Japan, Amazon Prime Video announced that as part of the Golovkin-Murata undercard, Junto Nakatani (22-0, 17 KOs) will make the second defense of the WBO world flyweight title against Mexican Cristian Gonzalez (14-1, 4 KOs).
In the last bout, Nakatani scored an impressive fourth round TKO over the hard-hitting former WBO world junior flyweight champ Angel Acosta. The southpaw defending champion brings a high skill level and punching ability. Only 23 years old, high praise has come his way from followers of the lower-weight divisions.
A SENSE OF PRIDE
According to source Asian Boxing, Nakatani is looking forward to fighting on what is viewed as a monumental boxing card domestically. His goal is to make a statement of his own.
(translated from Japanese) “I’m glad to have a defense battle in such a historic event in Japan… It’s an honor to be able to play a match at such a big event. I want to win and connect to the match between Mr. Murata and Golovkin.”
He’s facing a Gonzalez who is a bit of an unknown. Despite his #9 (WBO) ranking at 112 pounds, the 22-year-old has a very modest resume. There are no recognizable names on his record. But he is the product of the ultra-tough Mexican fight circuit. As evidenced by Mauricio Lara rising from anonymity to score a shocking stoppage win over former IBF world featherweight champ Josh Warrington earlier this year, Gonzalez should not be underestimated.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
