Junto Nakatani KO’s Giemel Magramo In Eight To Win Vacant WBO Flyweight Title
The country of Japan has once again produced a world champion! Junto Nakatani (21-0, 16 KOs) diced up Giemel Magramo (24-2, 20 KOs) en route to a dominant eighth-round knockout victory to capture the vacant WBO World Flyweight title at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Very tall for the division at 5’7 ½, Nakatani seized the initiative from the start. The southpaw used his advantages in height and reach to create distance, pecking away with right jabs then landing left hands, right hooks, and uppercuts.
Magramo could not solve the puzzle of trying to land with effective, hurtful punches. On the outside, Nakatani was outboxing him. And even when he was able to get inside, Nakatani was landing with short and sharp shots. He followed by stepping away at an angle, making sure to land a shot on the way out. The 26-year-old from Paranaque City, Philippines was losing in all facets during the first four rounds.
MORE OF THE SAME
As the fight continued into the middle rounds, more and more Magramo was getting outclassed and outfought. Only 22-years-old, Nakatani carries himself with the cool and composure of a seasoned vet. He was able to see everything Magramo was doing in there and had all the answers.
While Magramo was tough, the frustration from him was becoming visible. He plugged away on the front foot, but he lacked creativity with his attack. There was no alternative plan as he was getting punished with body and headshots.
By round seven, this fight was pretty much in the bag as the fighter from Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan was in complete control. He was having fun in there and did a beautiful job of landing a variety of combinations outside and up close.
Having sufficiently softened up his opponent, Nakatani sensed his opponent was cooked, glazed, and ready to be sliced.
Midway through round eight, Magramo was buzzed by a Nakatani left-hand. A follow-up right hook body shot and a series of punches to the head had Magramo hurt and holding on. Finally, a series of rights and lefts put him down with 1:02 left in the round.
Magramo was back on his feet at the count of nine. However, referee Nobuto Ikehara had seen enough and called a halt to the bout with 51-seconds to go in the round.
THE SHOCKER
The surprise was not that Nakatani won, it was how he won. This was easy work as he faced no real trouble at any point during the fight.
It will be interesting to see what direction his team decides to take him. COVID-19 issues in 2020 aside, boxing in Japan is undergoing unprecedented success.
With the hard-hitting former WBO World Junior Flyweight champion Angel Acosta (21-2, 21 KOs) currently ranked #2 by the WBO at 112-pounds, a Nakatani v Acosta showdown would be a fascinating contest in the lower-weight divisions. Do not be surprised if you see that fight take place at some point in 2021.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
