Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio: Full results
Japanese boxing fans were treated to a superb Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio card, headlined by a battle for the WBC bantamweight strap. Nakatani has been labeled as the second-coming of Japanese superstar Naoya Inoue and currently holds the world title once held by 'The Monster'.
The bantamweight title bout took place at the renowned Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, home of Japan's biggest sumo events, atop an exciting night of fights. Here's a detailed summary of the fights, including the full event outcomes:
Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio was over in a flash as the budding Japanese superstar proved that the hype around him was warranted. The 26-year-old needed all of one round to dispatch his opponent, as he walked out victorious via TKO after landing a crushing body shot.
He remains the WBC bantamweight world champion and extended his record to 28-0 with 21 knockout wins.
Kickboxing superstar Tenshin Nasukawa faced off against Jonathan Rodriguez in just the fourth professional bout of the Japanese pugilist's career. Rodriguez, on the other hand, has a 17-2-1 record.
But the experience did not prove to matter as Nasukawa secured a knockout victory. After a competitive opening round, 'Prodigy' began asserting himself in the fight and hurt Rodriguez badly before the bell rang for the end of Round 2.
Several minutes into Round 3, Nasukawa landed a crisp five-punch combination that dropped his opponent. Once Rodriguez regained his feet, the referee did not like his body language, and the official stopped the fight to see Nasukawa move to 4-0.
Riku Kano and Anthony Olascuaga faced off for the vacant WBO flyweight title. The Japanese pugilist entered the ring with vastly more experience than his opponent, but it proved to be of no significance.
Olascuaga hurt Kano in Round 1 with a stinging body shot before continuing his domination in the second round by landing several sharp uppercuts. The pair traded blows as Round 3 began before a body shot from the American backed his opponent up. He then lands a thudding shovel hook that knocks out Kano to win the WBO flyweight title.
Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio card: Tenshin Nasukawa, Issei Aramoto, and others emerge victorious
Main event:
Junto Nakatani def. Vincet Astrolabio by TKO in round one
Main card:
Tenshin Nasukawa def. Jonathan Rodriguez by TKO in round three
Anthony Olascuaga def. Riku Kano by KO in round three to win the WBO flyweight title
Issei Aramoto def. Mongotsooj Nandinerdene by KO in round six