Fighter of the Month: Junto Nakatani made a strong impression in Tokyo

Any of three Japanese boxers who won important fights on Feb. 24 in Tokyo could’ve been named Boxing Junkie Fighter of the Month for February.

Kosei Tanaka easily outpointed Christian Bacasegua to win the vacant WBO 115-pound belt, making him a world titleholder in a fourth division in his 21st fight. And Takuma Inoue knocked out former champ Jerwin Ancajas in the ninth round in the first defense of his WBA 118-pound title.

However, it was Junto Nakatani, making his debut at 118, who turned in the most impressive performance on the deep card at Kokugikan Arena.

His opponent, Alexandro Santiago, is a proven commodity who was coming off a sensational unanimous decision victory over future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire to capture the vacant WBC title last July.

And Nakatani reduced the Mexican to his personal punching bag, winning five rounds on all three cards and scoring a knockout in Round 6.

The 5-foot-7½ southpaw put the 5-2½ Santiago down with a straight left and then, moments later, did the same with a right hook. That was enough for the handlers of Santiago, who signaled the end of the fight. The official time of the stoppage as 1:12.

Thus, Nakatani (27-0, 20 KOs) became a major titleholder in a third division at 27 years old and earned Fighter of the Month honors. And it sounds as if he’s planning to take over the weight class.

“Looking forward to everyone watching me fight at bantamweight from now on,” he said.

The fans will be looking forward to watching him based on such dominating performances.