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Junto Nakatani, Takuma Inoue, Kosei Tanaka, and Kenshiro Teraji Highlight Huge Japanese Fight Weekend

By Matthew Brown
08/26/2024

Junto Nakatani, Takuma Inoue, Kosei Tanaka, and Kenshiro Teraji Highlight Huge Japanese Fight Weekend

The golden era of Japanese boxing continues, as Tokyo is set to host one of the most electrifying boxing events in recent memory.

Mr. Honda’s Teiken Promotions has announced a two-night, seven-title-fight, Wrestlemania Weekend style, extravaganza at the Ariake Arena on October 13 and 14. The event will showcase some of Japan’s brightest talents and will serve as a celebration of the country’s deep boxing tradition.

The marquee names headlining the event are Junto Nakatani, Takuma Inoue, Kosei Tanaka, and Kenshiro Teraji—each a testament to Japan’s prominence and dominance on the global boxing stage.

Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs) will defend his WBC bantamweight title against the formidable, but untested Petch CP Freshmart (76-1, 53 KOs) in what promises to be a high-octane battle. Nakatani, known for his relentless aggression and knockout power, is coming off of a first-round knockout victory over Vincent Astrolabio in July. This bout will serve as the headliner for night two.

In another bantamweight showdown, Takuma Inoue (20-1, 5 KOs), younger brother of pound-for-pound great Naoya Inoue, will take on the undefeated Seiya Tsutsumi (11-0-2, 8 KOs) for Inoue’s WBA bantamweight title. This bout will headline night one. Should Inoue be victorious, he is expected to take on second-night headliner, Junto Nakatani in a unification title fight.

Kosei Tanaka (20-1, 11 KOs), the four-division world champion, will defend his WBO super flyweight title for the first time against South Africa’s Phumelele Cafu (10-0-3, 8 KOs). Tanaka, who won the vacant belt in a unanimous decision victory over Christian Bacasegua in February, will go into the bout riding a five-fight winning streak.

Kenshiro Teraji (23-1, 14 KOs), who was a force of nature in the light flyweight division, will face veteran Cristofer Rosales (37-6, 22 KOs) for the vacant WBC flyweight title. The master tactician, Teraji, will attempt to become a two-division world champion in what is his flyweight debut.

The event doesn’t stop at the headliners.

Also on the card, newly crowned WBO flyweight champion, Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5 KOs) will make his first title defense against former junior flyweight champion, Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (28-3-1, 14 KOs). Olascuaga, who is a teammate of Junto Nakatani, won the vacant title in July by spectacular knockout over Riku Kano. The Puerto Rican veteran, Gonzalez, will make his second attempt at a flyweight title.

Shokichi Iwata (13-1, 10 KOs) will battle Jairo Noriega (14-0, 3 KOs) for the vacant WBO junior flyweight title. Iwata, 28, will be making his second attempt at a world title, following four straight wins after a unanimous decision loss to Jonathan Gonzalez.

Seigo Yuri Akui (20-2-1, 11 KOs) is set to defend his WBA flyweight title against Thananchai NKL (25-1, 15 KOs) in a fight could easily steal the show. Akui, who won his title against long time champion, Artem Dalakian, will be making the second defense of his title.

In addition to the title fights, Japanese kickboxing legend Tenshin Nasukawa (4-0, 2 KOs) will continue his transition to boxing as he faces the undefeated Gerwin Asilo (9-0, 4 KOs). Nasukawa, most famously known for his exhibition bout with Floyd Mayweather, has quickly made a name for himself in the boxing world, and is expected to be fast tracked to a world title.

This two-night mega event at the Ariake Arena is not just a celebration of Japanese boxing but a showcase of the country’s dominance in the lower weight classes. Both nights of the spectacle will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

Full Event Details:

Night One
- Takuma Inoue (20-1, 5KOs) vs Seiya Tsutsumi (11-0-2, 8KOs) for the WBA bantamweight title
- Kenshiro Teraji (23-1, 14KOs) vs Cristofer Rosales (37-6, 22KOs) for the vacant WBC flyweight title
- Shokichi Iwata (13-1, 10KOs) vs Jairo Noriega (14-0, 3KOs) for the vacant WBO junior flyweight title
- Seigo Yuri Akui (20-2-1, 11KOs) vs Thananchai NKL (25-1, 15KOs) for the WBA flyweight title

Night Two
- Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21KOs) vs Petch CP Freshmart (76-1, 53KOs) for the WBC bantamweight title
- Kosei Tanaka (20-1, 11KOs) vs Phumelele Cafu (10-0-3, 8KOs) for the WBO super flyweight title
- Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5KOs) vs Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez (28-3-1, 14KOs) for the WBO flyweight title
- Tenshin Nasukawa (4-0, 2KOs) vs Gerwin Asilo (9-0, 4KOs)

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