The Japanese Golden Period will proceed in full impact on July 20.
Three-weight world champion and reigning WBC bantamweight titlist Junto Nakatani will headline the tripleheader by dealing with his necessary challenger Vincent Astrolabio at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
Additionally on the present shall be a pair of world title fights that includes four-weight world champion Kosei Tanaka placing his WBO junior bantamweight title on the road towards Jonathan Rodriguez, whereas former world title challengers Riku Kano and Anthony Olascuaga will contest the vacant WBO flyweight title. In a particular attraction common bantamweight Tenshin Nasukawa will look to proceed his growth towards one other fighter referred to as Jonathan Rodriguez in a scheduled 10-round bout.
The occasion shall be broadcast stay on ESPN+
Nakatani (27-0, 20 knockouts), rated at No. 1 at bantamweight and No. 10 pound-for-pound by The Ring, ran by way of his early opposition and holds wins over future junior flyweight titleholder Masamichi Yabuki (UD 4), flyweight contender Seigo Yuri Akui (TKO 6) and handed the litmus check of former 108-pound titleholder Milan Melindo (TKO 6). The COVID-19 pandemic stymied the tall 26-year-old’s progress and he needed to wait 13 months to win the vacant WBO title towards Giemel Magramo (TKO 8). He made two defenses, together with his American debut, when he stopped former titleholder Angel Acosta (TKO 4) and on the undercard of Gennadiy Golovkin-Ryota Murata, and he was equally spectacular bludgeoning Ryota Yamauchi (TKO 8).
The heavy-handed boxer-puncher moved as much as 115-pounds and beat robust Mexican Francisco Rodriguez Jr. (UD 10) earlier than capturing the vacant WBO title with a spotlight reel knockout over Andrew Moloney (KO 11) and defended his title towards Argi Cortes (UD 12). Final outing he scored a profession greatest win to annex the WBC 118-pound title from Alexandro Santiago (TKO 6).
Astrolabio (19-4, 14 KOs), rated at No. 7 by The Ring at bantamweight, largely fought at dwelling and was unbeaten by way of 10 fights earlier than shedding three out of 5 struggle fights. The Filipino discovered some kind to win 4 fights, towards middling opponents, however his large break got here towards Guillermo Rigondeaux.
The 27-year-old dropped the ageing Cuban within the eighth and went on to choose up a 10-round unanimous determination. He adopted that by stopping Nikolai Potapov (KO 6) earlier than shedding to Moloney (MD 12) for the vacant WBO title however bounced again to earn a shot on the WBC title by defeating Nawaphon Sor Rungvisai (MD 12) in a title eliminator.
Tanaka (20-1, 11 KOs), rated at No. 3 by The Ring at junior bantamweight, gained the WBO strawweight title from Julian Yedras (UD 12) in his fifth struggle and made one protection. He then moved as much as junior flyweight and gained the vacant WBO title and made two defenses. The Japanese star outgrew that division and edged Sho Kimura (MD 12) to win the WBO flyweight title. He made three defenses of that one, notably outboxing former unified junior flyweight titleholder Ryoichi Taguchi (UD 12) and stopping present WBO 108-pound titlist Jonathan Gonzalez (TKO 7).
The now 28-year-old jumped to 115 kilos however misplaced his unbeaten document was brutally stopped by Kazuto Ioka (TKO 8). He regained his confidence with 4 wins. Final outing he bested Christian Bacasegua (UD 12) to turn into a four-weight titleholder by claiming the vacant WBO title.
Rodriguez (25-2-1, 17 KOs), rated at No. 9 by The Ring at junior bantamweight, has been knowledgeable since 2015. The San Luis Potosi native gained his first 16 fights earlier than narrowly shedding to Jose Martin Estrada Garcia (SD 10). He returned to profitable methods towards former world title challengers Felipe Orucuta (TKO 10) and Julian Yedras (KO 1). These wins noticed “Titan” earn a shot at then IBF 115-pound titlist Jerwin Ancajas, who beat the Mexican by 12-round unanimous determination.
The 28-year-old returned with three wins earlier than drawing with four-time world title challenger Israel Gonzalez final July.
Kano (22-4-2, 11 KOs) turned skilled at 16 within the Philippines with a loss and fought exterior his native Japan for the primary seven skilled fights. He claimed a WBO 105-pound regional title by besting former strawweight titlist Merlito Sabillo (SD 12). Nevertheless, he misplaced to his vastly extra skilled countryman Katsunari Takayama (TD 6) once they met for the vacant WBO 105-pound title.
The 26-year-old has come unstuck towards Jerry Tomogdan (KO 6) and Shin Ono (KO 8) in a shot on the vacant nationwide title. Nevertheless, since shifting as much as 108 and extra lately 112 the southpaw has stayed unbeaten and primed for a second world title shot.
Olascauga (6-1, 4 KOs) turned professional in 2020 and in his second and third struggle beat former world title challengers Saul Juarez (UD 6) and Gilberto Pedroza (UD 8).
As a late substitute he dropped down in weight for an bold crack at Ring, WBA and WBC junior flyweight titlist Kenshiro Teraji and although he gave a superb account of himself was stopped in nine-rounds. The 25-year-old has since scored a come from behind stoppage over former world title challenger Giemel Magramo (TKO 7).
Nasukawa (3-0, 1 KO) made a reputation for himself in karate earlier than turning into a famous person in kickboxing, the place he gained all 42 matches and later loved additional success in MMA. Such was his star-power, Floyd Mayweather got here to Japan for an exhibition in December 2018 and beat the Japanese fighter.
Lastly, the 25-year-old southpaw, who wished a brand new challenged, switched to boxing making his debut in April 2023 and has gained all three outings towards progressively higher opposition. Nasukawa shall be featured as a New Faces function within the upcoming digital version of The Ring.
Rodriguez (17-2-1, 7 KOs) has been knowledgeable since 2018. The Puerto Rican, who lives in Bethlahem, PA., notched eight wins earlier than shedding his unbeaten document to Manuel Flores (TKO 5).
He has gained 9 of his subsequent 10 contests beating the likes of skilled journeyman Ira Terry (UD 6) and Marvin Solano (UD 6). Nevertheless, it was a surprising first spherical win over former WBA 115-pound titleholder Kal Yafai that actually acquired him some consideration. Final outing, the 25-year-old was stopped by Antonio Vargas (RTD 7) in a firefight that noticed each males get off the canvas.
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