A world-title unification contest against an undefeated compatriot would typically be the ultimate destination for a boxer rather than part of the journey to be ticked off.
But this is the situation WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani finds himself in as he prepares to take on IBF ruler Ryosuke Nishida at Tokyo’s Ariake Colosseum on Sunday.
Nakatani (30-0, 23 KOs) has blazed a trail onto the pound-for-pound list and is one of the most thrilling fighters in the sport, a three-division world champion.
This is the fourth defence of the belt Nakatani won against Alexandro Santiago in February last year. All four of his contests at the 118-pound limit have ended within six rounds.
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Nishida (10-0, 2 KOs) is similarly undefeated and defends his IBF crown for a second time, having dethroned Emmanuel Rodriguez last May. But another Japanese fighter with an unblemished record looms in Nakatani’s future.
Momentum is building behind a huge fight with Naoya Inoue, the four-division world champion and two-weight undisputed superstar. Nevertheless, Nakatani knows those plans will go up in smoke if he takes his eye off the ball with Nishida.
“Having a champion accept my challenge was very satisfying,” Nakatani told BoxingScene. “It was nice to see since I wasn’t able to get the other champions in the ring [at flyweight and junior bantamweight].
“I know he’s coming in fully invested to win this fight. It’s now up to me to prepare even harder for [Nishida] than he is for me, to ensure that I am victorious.”
WATCH: Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida on ESPN+
Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida odds, betting tips
Per BetMGM, Nakatani is a clear betting favourite at -900, with Nishida priced +600. It underlines how this is an uncommonly tall task for a fighter with the status of being an undefeated world champion.
The draw is priced at +2000, with Nakatani’s explosive power a prohibitive factor despite Nishida’s propensity to go the distance.
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Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida fight prediction
Nishida is a technically accomplished fighter, well-balanced and methodical. You don’t enjoy a successful fast-track to becoming a world champion in your eighth professional fight without being a bit special.
His problem here is that Nakatani is more than a bit special. For all that the two southpaws’ astute skills might lead to a cagey opening, the power differential will come into play soon enough.
Despite having three times more professional contests than his opponent, Nakatani has heard the final bell seven times in his career to Nishida’s eight.
The IBF champion is too well-schooled to plod straight into trouble as Vincent Astrolabio and David Cuellar did. Nakatani will have to work for this KO.
The issue for those in the Nishida business is whether or not their man has enough pop in his shots to give Nakatani sufficient discouragement. Most of the evidence, despite a seventh-round stoppage of Anuchai Donsua last time out, suggests he does not against a formidable foe who has truly arrived in his optimum weight class with explosive results.
SN Prediction: Nakatani TKO 6 (+1100 BetMGM)
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