Carl Moretti On Nakatani: 'No Doubt You're Seeing A Future Champion At 122, 126, Maybe 130'
Feb 24, 2025
1 min read
Earlier today, WBC bantamweight titlist Junto Nakatani recorded an impressive third-round knockout over previously unbeaten David Cuellar at the Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan. The win and performance further solidified his position as not just the premier...
Earlier today, WBC bantamweight titlist Junto Nakatani recorded an impressive third-round knockout over previously unbeaten David Cuellar at the Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan.
The win and performance further solidified his position as not just the premier bantamweight, but also one of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters.
Nakatani (30-0, 23 knockouts), rated at No. 1 by The Ring at 118-pounds, notched the third defense of the title he won a year ago today and showed the importance of staying active.
"I did expect a really good performance from Junto – he did his job," said long-time trainer Rudy Hernandez.
"If you're in the top 10 pound-for-pound, you have to show why in every fight."
Meanwhile, Top Rank's vice-president of boxing operations Carl Moretti, who flew in from Riyadh to witness the three-division titleholder's latest fight, believes what we've seen so far is just the tip of the iceberg.
"He continues to show his dominance in this weight class and is only getting better. No doubt you're seeing a future champion at 122, 126 and maybe even 130," he insisted before adding an important caveat.
While excitement grows about the topic of a future matchup against compatriot and undisputed super-bantamweight champion Naoya Inoue, Moretti feels Junto has work to complete at bantamweight before venturing up more weight divisions.
"[We] would like [him] to unify with IBF champion [Ryosuke Nishida] in June," said Moretti.
The Ring's No. 2-ranked contender Nishida was on hand in the ring to greet Nakatani afterwards and it appears things are fairly advanced between them, in a prospective matchup that would also contest the vacant Ring bantamweight strap.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on Twitter@AnsonWainwright
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