Junto Nakatani “Big Bang”
Super Bantamweight · Japan · Boxing
Tall southpaw pressure fighter with one-punch left-hand power
Knockout left hand, including a 2023 KO of the Year
Record & stats
| Division | Super Bantamweight |
|---|---|
| Categories | Boxing |
| Promotion | Boxing |
| Nationality | Japan |
| Born | Inabe, Mie, Japan |
| Team | M.T. Gym (Teiken) |
| Pro debut | 2015 |
| Height | 173cm |
| Reach | 174cm |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Age | 28 |
| KO rate | 75% |
| Status | Active |
How the wins come
75% Finish rate- 24 KO/TKO · 75%
- 8 Decision · 25%
Titles & honors
- Former WBO Bantamweight Champion
- Three-division champion
Biography
Junto Nakatani is a tall, rangy southpaw with concussive left-hand power and one of the brightest talents in Japanese boxing. He debuted in 2015 at age 17 and grew into a three-division world champion.
He won the WBO flyweight title in 2020, then moved up to claim the WBO super flyweight belt with a stunning 12th-round one-punch knockout of Andrew Moloney in May 2023 — widely hailed as a KO of the Year. He climbed again to win the WBC bantamweight title by stopping Alexandro Santiago (TKO 6, February 2024) and later added the IBF strap by beating Ryosuke Nishida in June 2025.
Nakatani vacated his bantamweight belts to move up to super bantamweight and challenge pound-for-pound king Naoya Inoue in an all-Japanese superfight. On May 2, 2026 at the Tokyo Dome, he lost a competitive unanimous decision — the first defeat of his career — to fall to 32-1 (24 KOs).
As of June 2026 he remains a top super bantamweight, with his next move not yet confirmed.
Fight history
- LNaoya InoueL UD 12
- WSebastian HernandezW UD 12
- WRyosuke NishidaW RTD 6
FAQ
- What is Junto Nakatani's record?
- He is 32-1 with 24 knockouts as of June 2026. His only loss is to Naoya Inoue.
- How many divisions has Nakatani been champion in?
- Three — WBO flyweight, WBO super flyweight, and WBC/IBF bantamweight.
- Did Nakatani lose to Naoya Inoue?
- Yes. He lost a unanimous decision to Inoue on May 2, 2026 at the Tokyo Dome, the first defeat of his career.
- What is Nakatani's signature win?
- His one-punch 12th-round knockout of Andrew Moloney in May 2023, widely praised as a KO of the Year.