NAKATANI STOPS ASTROLABIO IN FIRST ROUND WITH WICKED BODY SHOT
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Jul 2024
Japanese three-division world champion Junto Nakatani delivered a devastating body shot to the midsection of Filipino challenger Vincent Astrolabio who ran out of air as he crumpled to the canvas and succumbed to a first round knockout loss to the lanky Japanese who easily retained his WBC bantamweight belt at the Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena Saturday night.
Time of stoppage was at 2:37 of the first round.
"I expected a long fight but I'm sorry to the fans because the fight ended too early," Nakatani told the interviewer after the fight.
"I promise to have a good fight next time around," added Nakatani who now aims to have a unification fight against fellow Japanese bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue who holds the WBA version of the title.
The action started slow as the bell rang opening the fight. Nakatani, who has a three-inch reach advantage, clearly wants to fight from the outside as Astrolabio tries to find his way to penetrate inside. The southpaw Nakatani connected with a couple of lefts upstairs with Astrolabio throws his on shots to the body as the action begins to heat up. Generally the round was timid going into the last 30 seconds of the fight. But suddenly, a long left straight to the body by Nakatani, who packed a lot of power from both hands, connected at Astrolabio's midsection just above the belt, that sent the Filipino to the canvas writhing in pain. Astrolabio tried to get up but Referee Thomas Taylor reached the count of 10 for another knockout victory by Nakatani.
Nakatani improves his record to 28-0 with 21 stoppages as Astrolabio drops to 19-5-0, 14KOs.
Junto Nakatani (L) unleashes the body shot that stops Vincent Astrolabio in the first round of their WBC world bantamweight title fight Saturday night in Tokyo, Japan.
Referee Thomas Taylor embraces the defeated Astrolabio who was immobilized by Nakatani's powerful body shot in the first round of the WBC world bantamweight title fight Saturday night in Tokyo, Japan.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Press Conference Notes: Xander Zayas & Abass Baraou Face Off Ahead of January 31 Title Unification Showdown in San Juan, Puerto Rico
Thu, 13 Nov 2025Historic Turnout at the 1st Tigerhead Rapid Open Chess Tournament in Laos
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 13 Nov 2025The Hammer Returns to the Fray With a Bang
By Gianluca (Rio) Di Caro, Wed, 12 Nov 2025Monzón and Coggi are new Argentina Boxing Hall of Fame members
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 12 Nov 2025GM Antonio moves to 2nd in Spain chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 12 Nov 2025Teflon Promotion to host Re:Play Volume 1 on November 22nd at The Alan Horwitz “Sixth Man” Center
Wed, 12 Nov 2025THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 10 NOVEMBER 2025
By Eric Armit, Wed, 12 Nov 2025FLORES AND CORDINA PREDICT KO NIGHT IN STOCKTON
Wed, 12 Nov 2025Lightweight Prospect Charley Leigh Brown Added To Hunter Vs Frankham Card 5th December
Wed, 12 Nov 2025Mavericks' Cooper Flagg becomes the second 18-year-old player to score 25 points
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 12 Nov 2025Sit back and enjoy, "Bata' Reyes book is out
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 12 Nov 2025'THE RING: UNFINISHED BUSINESS': CHRIS EUBANK JR-CONOR BENN II FIGHT WEEK LAUNCHES WITH INTENSE LONDON FACE-OFF
Tue, 11 Nov 2025OKC Thunder Quickly Grabs League Lead; Competition Performing Per Formchart
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 11 Nov 2025Reyes rules 17th edition of Kamatyas FIDE Rated Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 11 Nov 2025SPORTS RECORDS 11: NONITO DONAIRE'S TWO KNOCKOUTS OF THE YEAR
By Maloney L. Samaco, Tue, 11 Nov 2025