Junto Nakatani became a unified bantamweight champion today, stopping Ryosuke Nishida after six rounds of action.
Nakatani (31-0, 24 KO) basically slugged away at the tough Nishida (10-1, 2 KO) until Nishida’s left eye was completely swollen shut.
Referee Yuji Fukuchi stopped the fight, and with very good reason; I mean, just take a look at Nishida in the corner after round six:
Nishida, who came in defending the IBF title, deserves real credit for fighting pretty well and trying to stand his ground with Nakatani, but part of that is he just had no choice, as Nakatani, who held the WBC belt entering the fight, was simply a much stronger puncher.
“We started aggressively and damaging my opponent was my strategy, and I think it was successful,” Nakatani said through an interpreter. “Ever since flyweight, I’ve really wanted to unify my titles, and finally at bantamweight, I was able to unify my titles. I’m satisfied right now.”
Tenshin Nasukawa UD-10 Victor Santillan
Tenshin Nasukawa improved to 7-0 (2 KO) with a wide decision win over a pesky Victor Santillan, taking cards of 99-91, 99-91, and 100-90.
It wasn’t the most exciting showing, but Nasukawa passed another test, dealing with a tricky southpaw opponent meant to prepare him for bigger fights down the line.
Tenshin apologized for the fight not being much for action, but acknowledged what his opponent brought to the ring, saying, “This is something I needed to experience.”
“I learned that things won’t always go my way. I have to swallow this right now. I’m not thinking about my future right now,” he added. “This is tough, but it’s a fact. This is me at the moment. I just have to (mature as a fighter).”
