Nakatani vs Astrolabio: The next Inoue takes centre stage
WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani defends his title against Vincent Astrolabio this Saturday, July 20. The bout headlines a showpiece card at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo. Sky Sports Action will broadcast this bantamweight battle.
Here are my Nakatani vs Astrolabio predictions ahead of this world title showdown.
When boxing talk turns to Japan, understandably it is Naoya Inoue who occupies the majority of the headlines. The knockout artist and undisputed super bantamweight champion has won admirers with an all-action style. ‘Kaibutsu’ is in the debate for pound-for-pound king.
But there is more to Japanese boxing than Inoue. Nakatani is a fighter we should all be talking about. He is an unbeaten three-weight world champion with knockout power and a laundry list of title successes. Stunningly, Nakatani is still only 26 years of age.
Within the industry, Nakatani’s prowess is well-regarded. The Inabe-born boxer was incorporated into The Ring magazine pound-for-pound ratings in May, sitting in 10th place. A sixth-round knockout of WBC bantamweight champion Alexandro Santiago to take the title last time out has put Nakatani into the spotlight.
In truth, boxing insiders were paying close attention to Nakatani for a while. A 12th round knockout win over WBO junior bantamweight king Andrew Moloney put a lot of people on notice. The Japanese star knocked the champion down three times on the way to taking his championship.
There were also a trio of stoppage victories in flyweight world title fights. Nakatani has beaten a total of six former, reigning or future world champions in his 27-fight career so far. The 26-year-old has 20 career knockouts including five in world title fights. Nakatani isn’t ready for the big time, he’s already there. It’s up to the rest of the world to catch up.
Astrolabio is no stranger to world title fights. The Filipino star ran Jason Moloney close in a WBO bantamweight title fight in May of last year. The 27-year-old is best known for his breakout win over the great Guillermo Rigondeaux, who he knocked down on the way to a decision win in February 2022.
While ‘The Jackal’ was arguably on the slide going into that one, Astrolabio finds himself against a fighter in their prime in Nakatani. 14 knockouts in 19 victories shows that ‘Asero’ could have enough power to discourage his decorated foe.
On the flip side, four career defeats indicate that Astrolabio might be facing too tough a task here. It should be noted that the Moloney reverse was his first loss since 2018. Astrolabio has settled in at world level and his 19-4 ledger does not tell the full story.
But belonging at world level and excelling at world level are two different things. There are many fighters who solidify themselves as perennial contenders without ever capturing the big one. Can Astrolabio overcome that designation and spring an almighty upset over Nakatani?
Nakatani vs Astrolabio Fight Odds
Nakatani is a mammoth favourite to keep his unbeaten run going at 1/40. Astrolabio is bringing up the rear at 12/1 while the draw is priced at 25/1.
Nakatani vs Astrolabio Full Card
Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio for Nakatani’s WBC bantamweight title
Kosei Tanaka vs. Jonathan Rodriguez for Tanaka’s WBO junior bantamweight title
Riku Kano vs. Anthony Olascuaga for the vacant WBO flyweight title
Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Jonathan Rodriguez
Issei Aramoto vs. Mongontsooj Nandinerdene
Nakatani vs Astrolabio Predictions
I cannot see past Nakatani here. The 26-year-old has all the makings of a phenom. Astrolabio is a good challenger and a better fighter than his record suggests. But I feel he will succumb here. I am going for a Nakatani knockout in rounds 4-6 priced at 11/4.
You can find all our latest boxing betting tips and analysis at our Betfred Insights Boxing page and our latest boxing odds here.
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