Junto Nakatani retained his WBC bantamweight title with impressive ease on February 24, 2025, defeating Mexican challenger David Cuellar by knockout in the third round at Tokyo's Ariake Arena.
Nakatani, the unbeaten champion, showcased his boxing superiority almost from the opening bell. Known for his explosive style, the 27-year-old Japanese fighter came out aggressively, deploying an arsenal of punches against Cuellar, who was making his first appearance in a world title fight.
During the first two rounds, Nakatani established early control, landing effective left shots and setting the stage for what was to come. It became evident to the spectators as the rounds progressed — Nakatani's competitive edge was palpable.
Fans witnessed Nakatani ramping up the intensity markedly during the third round. This was the moment when he dropped Cuellar twice, marking the peak of the bout's action. With precision and power, Nakatani delivered rapid combinations, and when Cuellar, 23, couldn't find any answers, it was clear this would end decisively.
With just under 30 seconds remaining in the third round, Nakatani unleashed a powerful right hook, quickly followed by another punch as Cuellar steadied himself. Nakatani’s punches met their mark with ferocity, leading to Cuellar hitting the canvas once again.
The referee, Michael Griffin, counted to ten after the second knockdown, officially declaring the match over at 3:04 of the third round. This knockout victory brought Nakatani's professional record to 30 wins, 23 of which came by way of knockout. Meanwhile, Cuellar's record dropped to 28 wins and 1 loss, with 18 of his wins also being knockouts.
After his impressive title defense, Nakatani expressed his thoughts about the fight. "I don't recall, but did you get to see my big bang?" he asked, referring to his explosive performance, which surely left fans excited.
He also detailed his concerns heading to the match, admitting, "I was worried a little bit because of my opponent's height, but I'm glad I beat him." The size differential proved inconsequential as he executed his plan with surgical precision, overpowering Cuellar effectively.
With this victory under his belt, Nakatani turned his attention to the future, inviting IBF bantamweight champion Ryosuke Nishida to the ring immediately after the fight. The two expressed mutual interest in pursuing a title unification bout, as Nakatani shared, "I'll try to become a unified world champion and then look for new heights." His ambition reflects the competitive spirit and desire for greatness often found among boxing champions.
The night wasn’t solely about Nakatani. Earlier, WBA bantamweight champion Seiya Tsutsumi faced Japanese compatriot Daigo Higa, resulting in a hard-fought draw. The match captured the interest of many fans fascinated by the local talent.
Through his stunning victory, Nakatani not only cemented his status as one of the top bantamweights but also heralded the potential for riveting matchups against other champions. With both the fans and analysts abuzz about the prospect of title unifications, as well as Nakatani's future bouts, the excitement surrounding this champion continues to grow.
Boxing enthusiasts, as well as those following Japanese boxing’s ascendancy, will undoubtedly keep their eyes peeled for Junto Nakatani’s next bout as he aims for greater heights.