JUNTO Nakatani made an enormous assertion in Tokyo, blasting away Vincent Astrolabio in double-quick time. Astrolabio was not unbeatable, however no person had handled him like this.
Because the clock for the opening spherical ticked down, the Kanagawa man landed a thumping straight left to the physique that left the often sturdy Filipino writhing in agony. He barely beat referee Thomas Taylor’s depend earlier than slumping again to his knees, confirming the end.
Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs) defined afterwards that he was anticipating an extended outing however discovered the right shot to complete issues early. He humbly apologised to the group for not giving appropriate worth for cash in opposition to Astrolabio (19-5, 14 KOs).
Many would argue he supplied precisely what the boxing world wished to see. Making the primary defence of a title he took from Alex Santiago in February, the fearsome champion needs to unify the titles subsequent or transfer up, relying on what choices current.
Nakatani namechecked Naoya Inoue, stating that he would get stronger and be prepared. Battle followers are definitely prepared for such a spectacle. “I’ll take one step at a time however I do know up one division the ‘Monster’ is ready for me,” he added.
Naoya and Takuma Inoue (Naoki Fukuda)
Earlier on the cardboard, Anthony Olascuaga picked up the vacant WBO flyweight title with a third-round blast of Riku Kano. Predominant eventer Nakatani later invited stablemate Olascuaga into the ring to rejoice.
The ever-improving Tenshin Nasukawa bludgeoned Puerto Rican Jonathan Rodriguez in spherical three.
Kosei Tanaka’s WBC super-flyweight title defence in opposition to Mexico’s Jonathan Rodriguez was canned when the challenger got here in considerably chubby.
