Boxing Results: Junto Nakatani Dominates David Cuellar In Bantamweight Title Defense, Eyes Unification Bout

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Image: Boxing Results: Junto Nakatani Dominates David Cuellar in Bantamweight Title Defense, Eyes Unification Bout

Unbeaten WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani (30-0, 23 KOs) made easy work of previously undefeated #6-ranked contender David Cuellar (28-1, 18 KOs), knocking him out in the third round on Monday night in an easy title defense at the Ariake Arena, Koto-Ku in Tokyo, Japan.

The stork-like 5’8″ Nakatani, 27, used his pawing jab to set up Cuellar with a big left hand that put him down in the third round. Cuellar was too hurt to return to his feet, and referee Michael Griffin halted the contest. The official time of the stoppage was at 3:04 of the third.

Cuellar No Match

There really wasn’t much to the fight, as Cuellar had very little power and was rushing forward, throwing weak combinations. Nakatani was picking him off with straight lefts as he would charge forward. It was like shooting ducks. It was No competition at all. The 118-lb division is pretty weak at this point, so this is what amounts to be the best opposition for Nakatani to fight in terms of contenders.

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With the victory, Nakatani will focus next on fighting IBF belt-holder Ryosuke Nishida (10-0, 2 KOs) in a unification. This is another example of how barren of quality the bantamweight division is right now. Nishida, 28, only has 10 fights under his belt, yet he’s the IBF world champion at 118.

Nakatani aims to become undisputed in this division before moving up to 122 to challenge undisputed super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue for his four belts. However, it’s unclear whether it’s worth it for Nakatani to stay at 118 to collect all the straps because it could take a couple more years unless his promoters throw a lot of money at the three champions.

Aging The Monster

One positive that could come out of Nakatani’s time-consuming goal of trying to become undisputed in this barren of talent weight class is that it’ll age Inoue more. He’s 31 now, but by the time Nakatani finishes capturing all the belts, he’ll be 33 or 34, older, slower, and more vulnerable. It’s clever on Junto’s part to age ‘The Monster’ but also pathetic in a way and not courageous.

Last Updated on 02/24/2025

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