Undefeated WBC bantamweight champion Junto “Big Bang” Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs) demonstrated his dominance in the 118-pound weight class by defeating IBF titlist Ryosuke Nishida (10-1, 2 KOs) on Sunday, June 8th, 2025 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
From the early rounds, 27-year-old Nakatani landed powerful blows to fellow unbeaten southpaw Nishida’s face, causing his right eye to gradually close.
Although Nishida, 28 from Osaka, managed to land some big body blows, by the fifth round the damage to his eye was becoming apparent, and by the end of the sixth round, it was completely closed.
The doctor entered the ring to examine the injury and ruled that it was best for Nishida not to continue the bout.
Kanagawa's Nakatini became unified at bantamweight and sent a statement to undisputed super-bantamweight champ Naoya Inoue, watching on from ringside.
The Japanese superstars are on a collision course, which could see them fight later this year.