Nakatani signs co-promotional deal with Top Rank

Junto Nakatani is 2-0 with two knockouts in 2024

After putting on a number of impressive performances on ESPN+, WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani has officially joined forces with Top Rank, who will promote him alongside Teiken.

Nakatani (28-0, 21 KO) claimed his third world title and established himself as a pound-for-pound threat by demolishing Alexandro Santiago in February, then followed that up with a one-round, one-punch finish of mandatory challenger Vincent Astrolabio last weekend. He’s been vocal about his desire to challenge super bantamweight kingpin Naoya Inoue, a fight that’s just become easier to put together.

That said, there shouldn’t be too many obstacles in the way of bantamweight unification, either. Inoue’s brother Takuma is another ESPN+ regular and Yoshiki Takei will face Daigo Higa ahead of “The Monster’s” September showdown with TJ Doheny. Either way, we can expect big things from Nakatani in the near future.

Nakatani said, “Thank you to Bob Arum and everyone at Top Rank. This is a significant moment in my career, and I want to continue giving boxing fans great fights.”