Fighter of the Week (5/15-5/21): Junto Nakatani

As Vasyl Lomachenko learned in the main event on Saturday night at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, it's perhaps not the best Idea to let the fight go the distance, rather keep it out of the judge's hands. That's exactly what Junto Nakatani did on the undercard portion of the card, which was televised on ESPN. The 25-year-old southpaw, from Kanagawa, Japan, appeared to be well ahead on the scorecard going into the final round. However, the former 112-Pound world champion didn't want to rest on his laurels and let it go to the scorecards. So he took care of business the best way he knew how and unleashed an overhand left that landed with the force of a wrecking ball and dropped Andrew Moloney like a building imploding on itself. Referee Mark Nelson immediately waived off the bout, and Moloney received immediate medical attention. Fortunately, Moloney is doing well and recovered. The Japanese former flyweight world champ moved his record to 25-0 (19), picked up what will most certainly by KO of the Year as well as his second world title in as many divisions, and takes home our Fighter of the Week award, on a day that saw two undisputed champs retain their world titles.

The former Flyweight champ got off to a fast start a dropped Moloney, a former super flyweight champ, with a perfectly timed uppercut. He seemed to have things going until eating a nasty head butt that opened up a cut above Nakatani's left eye something similar that happened to Josh Franco in their second fight. However, nothing could slow the Japanese fighter down as he controlled the fight throughout. Scoring with pinpoint accurate straight left hands that kept the Australian at bay. Moloney rallied a bit in the middle rounds and seemed to be making up some ground on the scorecards with effective work on the inside. However, Nakatani halted his momentary momentum and regained control of the fight late. Momentarily rocking Moloney in the ninth with the left hand. In the next round, Nakatani working off the jab began frustrating Moloney, who could longer get inside and became target practice for the straight left hand of his taller and rangier opponent. That left hand by Nakatani dropped Moloney in the eleventh round. Which was writing on the wall for what was about to come. Moloney was up quickly and continued to fight. However, it was evident he wasn't at full strength and was well broken down at this point. In the 12th and final round, a devastating overhand left from Nakatani put Moloney out cold in sensational fashion ending the fight at the 2:42 mark of the final round.

Nakatani is in one of the most loaded divisions in the sport. A division that features fellow countryman Kaz Ioka, who vacated the WBO belt Nakatani picked up. It also is home to the likes of WBA Champ Josh Franco and then legendary names like Chocalatio and Juan Francisco Estrada. Any of these would be big-money main events, and given Nakatani's last knockout he would be a highly intriguing opponent for any of those names and a fighter the fans will be clamoring to see again. Also at the weight class below, there are two legit champions who ahve and would be willing to go back to 115 for the right. Bam Rodriguez has been in talks to fight Nakatani when he went back down to 112, and Julio Cesar Martinez is a fan-friendly fighter who always makes for an entertaining fight if nothing else. Nakatani, given his latest performance, has put himself in a position for a mega-payday and perhaps a unification fight next. He seems to want the Estrada fight next.