BN Fight Facts: Junto Nakatani steps up to bantamweight to take Alexandro Santiago’s WBC title via sixth-round stoppage

THE RESULT: After displaying spectacular endurance and poise for the primary 5 rounds of his debut at bantamweight, Junto Nakatani exploded in spherical six, dropping Alexandro Santiago not as soon as however twice en route to successful the WBC belt in Tokyo, Japan. The combat was finally referred to as off by referee Laurence Cole one minute and 12 seconds into spherical six.

KEY MOMENTS: Key moments had been few and much between till spherical six, in reality. Up till that time Nakatani had been successful rounds by advantage of his measurement and each his capability to management the gap and Santiago’s full incapacity to shut this distance. It was then in spherical six, nevertheless, Nakatani, having acquired the measure of his man, let fly with a stiff left cross which nailed Santiago and despatched him to the canvas for the primary time within the combat. It wouldn’t be lengthy earlier than he returned there, both, subsequent time due to a proper hook, but it surely was that first left hand of Nakatani’s that did all of the injury.

RECORDS: Nakatani, 26, strikes to 27-0 (20), whereas Santiago, 28, drops to 28-4-5 (8).

TALKING POINT: Having gained the WBC bantamweight title towards Santiago tonight, Nakatani efficiently claims a world title in a 3rd weight class. Prior to this victory he had been a champion at super-flyweight, the place he held the WBO belt, and flyweight, a division wherein he additionally owned the WBO belt. It stays to be seen how lengthy the Japanese star stays at bantamweight, in addition to how profitable he’s there, however at 5’7 and with a rangy southpaw model unlikely to enchantment to many opponents there’s each probability Nakatani has now discovered his correct dwelling.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Naturally, by shifting to bantamweight Nakatani has opened the door to larger fights towards larger names. His first sufferer there, Santiago, gained his WBC belt when beating one of many largest names within the decrease weight courses, Nonito Donaire, final yr, and there’ll little question be fights of comparable status for Nakatani going ahead. A combat towards Australia’s Jason Moloney, for instance, could possibly be one for the longer term. Moloney at the moment holds the WBO belt at bantamweight and his brother, Andrew, was stopped by Nakatani in 12 rounds final May. Then in fact there are the Inoues…