Regardless of rumblings {that a} pending obligatory protection may delay proceedings, bantamweight champions Junto Nakatani (WBC) and Ryosuke Nishida (IBF) are formally set to fulfill in a June eighth unification bout in Tokyo.
Nakatani (30-0, 23 KO) loved reigns of terror at flyweight and tremendous flyweight, however has seemingly develop into much more fearsome at 118, knocking out 4 opponents within the span of 12 months. Although most are already trying forward at a blockbuster conflict with Naoya Inoue, Nishida (10-0, 2 KO) is a top-tier operator and Nakatani’s best menace at bantamweight. His observe document features a determination over former title challenger Shohei Omori in simply his third professional struggle, a clear victory over former titlist Daigo Higa shortly thereafter, and a powerful victory over WBSS veteran Emmanuel Rodriguez final yr.
Nakatani and Nishida met within the ring after Nakatani’s February knockout of David Cuellar, however information broke final month that Nishida would first need to get via 22-year-old challenger Jose Salas. Fortunately, it seems that “El Chapulin” has agreed to step apart. You don’t need to miss this one.
ESPN+ will carry the stateside broadcast, which incorporates kickboxing legend turned prime contender Tenshin Nasukawa’s (6-0, 2 KO) bout with Victor Santillan (14-1, 5 KO) and the newest from super-prospect Tomoya Tsuboi (1-0, 1 KO).
