Date set for Nakatani Vs Astrolabio!
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Earlier today Viva Promotions revealed that a date had now been set for the first defense by WBC Bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani (27-0, 20) [中谷 潤人], who will face mandatory challenger Vincent Astrolabio (19-4, 14) on July 20th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
WBC Mandatory Challenger Vincent Astrolabio will finally get his much awaited world title shot against Japanese Pound for Pound star Junto Nakatani on July 20th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.#NakataniAstrolabio pic.twitter.com/5hLhFVoawG
— VIVA PROMOTIONS (@VIVAPROMOTIONS1) May 15, 2024
For Nakatani the bout comes on the back of one of his most impressive performances, a 6th round TKO of Alexandro Santiago back in February. That was Nkatani’s 6th win in a world title bout, and his 5th stoppage in those bouts. The win also saw him become a 3-weight world champion, and in some ways it seemed like he had found the weight best suited for him, for now, as he seemed more powerful than he had at 115lbs, where he was draining his 5’8” frame. Notably this will be his second world title fight against a Filipino, having previously beaten Giemel Magramo in 8 rounds in 2020 for the WBO Flyweight title, his first title.
As for Astrolabio the bout will be his second world title bout, following a competitive loss in a vacant WBO title fight last year to Jason Moloney. Despite his 4 losses the Moloney one is the only one in the last 4 years, whilst he’s gone 7-1 (6) during that run, with wins against the likes of Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nikolai Potapov and Navapon Khaikanha. Notably his other 3 loss came in a 5 fight run, from December 2017 and December 2018 with defeats to John Mark Apolinario, Yuki Strong Kobayashi and ZongLi He. Despite being well traveled, with bouts in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, US and Thailand, as well as his native Philippines, this will be his first fight in Japan.
Although yet to be confirmed, it’s assumed this show will also play host to a fight for one of his old titles, with Nakatani’s close friend Anthony Olascuaga (6-1, 4) expected to face Riku Kano (22-4-2, 11) [加納陸] for the vacant WBO Flyweight title on this card. For both of these fighters the bout will be their second world title fight.
There are other rumours of a third world title fight also being added to this card, which is expected to be aired on Amazon Prime in Japan, and ESPN in the US.
As for Astrolabio the bout will be his second world title bout, following a competitive loss in a vacant WBO title fight last year to Jason Moloney. Despite his 4 losses the Moloney one is the only one in the last 4 years, whilst he’s gone 7-1 (6) during that run, with wins against the likes of Guillermo Rigondeaux, Nikolai Potapov and Navapon Khaikanha. Notably his other 3 loss came in a 5 fight run, from December 2017 and December 2018 with defeats to John Mark Apolinario, Yuki Strong Kobayashi and ZongLi He. Despite being well traveled, with bouts in China, Malaysia, Indonesia, United Arab Emirates, US and Thailand, as well as his native Philippines, this will be his first fight in Japan.
Although yet to be confirmed, it’s assumed this show will also play host to a fight for one of his old titles, with Nakatani’s close friend Anthony Olascuaga (6-1, 4) expected to face Riku Kano (22-4-2, 11) [加納陸] for the vacant WBO Flyweight title on this card. For both of these fighters the bout will be their second world title fight.
There are other rumours of a third world title fight also being added to this card, which is expected to be aired on Amazon Prime in Japan, and ESPN in the US.