Mikito Nakano impresses on US debut
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Just moments ago we saw the US debut of OPBF Featherweight champion Mikito Nakano (13-0, 12) [中野幹士] who faced off with Puerto Rican fighter Pedro Marquez Medina (16-2, 10) in a 10 rounder in Las Vegas. On paper this was a good looking test for Nakano, but it was one he used less as a test, and more as a showcase, against the ideal foil.
The first round was a competitive one as both got the chance to feel the other man out. In round 2 Nakano began to pressure more, using his jab well before landing a southpaw straight, which saw Marquez drop to a knee. He wasn’t clearly hurt, but was clearly feeling it enough to want a count. The Puerto Rican got to his feet but was under intense pressure and was dropped a second time in the middle of the ring. Nakano could smell blood and went for the kill. Marquez, to his credit, fought back, landing a good counter and let Nakano know he was still there, but a huge body shot hurt Marquez who took several follow up shots before the bell. Nakano scored another knockdown, early in round 3, with an uppercut and it was very clear that whilst Marquez was brave, he was completely unable to cope with the power of Nakano with even shots on the gloves rocking him and didn’t have the fire power needed to make the Japanese fighter respect him.
Marquez was proving to be stubborn, despite the 3 knockdowns against him in the first 3 rounds, and showed some nice boxing skills in round 4, finding a home for a long right hand, but he was under pressure through the round and body shots from Nakano saw him score his 4th knockdown. Marquez again got to his feet, but another body shot on the restart sent the Puerto Rican back to the canvas, with the referee finally waving the action off.
The first round was a competitive one as both got the chance to feel the other man out. In round 2 Nakano began to pressure more, using his jab well before landing a southpaw straight, which saw Marquez drop to a knee. He wasn’t clearly hurt, but was clearly feeling it enough to want a count. The Puerto Rican got to his feet but was under intense pressure and was dropped a second time in the middle of the ring. Nakano could smell blood and went for the kill. Marquez, to his credit, fought back, landing a good counter and let Nakano know he was still there, but a huge body shot hurt Marquez who took several follow up shots before the bell. Nakano scored another knockdown, early in round 3, with an uppercut and it was very clear that whilst Marquez was brave, he was completely unable to cope with the power of Nakano with even shots on the gloves rocking him and didn’t have the fire power needed to make the Japanese fighter respect him.
Marquez was proving to be stubborn, despite the 3 knockdowns against him in the first 3 rounds, and showed some nice boxing skills in round 4, finding a home for a long right hand, but he was under pressure through the round and body shots from Nakano saw him score his 4th knockdown. Marquez again got to his feet, but another body shot on the restart sent the Puerto Rican back to the canvas, with the referee finally waving the action off.