Top Rank is negotiating a co-promotional deal with unbeaten WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani with Teiken Promotions.
According to Fight Freaks, Top Rank plans to add Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs) to their stable and have him fight in the U.S.; however, how often would be unclear.
The deal would work if Nakatani were fighting in the U.S. regularly. If not, it would be a case of out of sight, out of mind, and not a good deal for Top Rank.
Nakatani could be a big star in the U.S. if he fought there often and if Top Rank could dig up the popular guys for him to display his power.
A Dream Matchup with Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez
American fans want to see Nakatani fight Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez in the States. However, Bam’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, would likely resist that idea because it’s a fight he might lose and get badly beaten by the Japanese knockout artist.
Nakatani is heavy-handed and crushes his opponents. Hearn has got to know what the end result would be for Bam if he fought Nakatani, so he’s not volunteering him as his next victim.
Bam has found a niche in beating older fighters past their prime and putting him in with Nakatani would mess up the good things he and Hearn have going with their system.
At least if Bam fought Nakatani, fans could see whether he’s the real thing or just a guy strategically matched against older fighters like Juan Francisco Estrada, Srisaket Sor Rungvisai, and Carlos Cuadras.
Unlike fellow countryman Naoya Inoue, Nakatani doesn’t possess blinding hand speed, but he possesses so much power that it doesn’t matter.
Top Rank also promoter Japanese star Naoya Inoue, who hasn’t fought in the U.S. in three years since his showcase fight against fringe contender Michael Dasmariñas in 2021.
Nakatani’s Power: A Foreman-esque Force
U.S. fans have been complaining on social media that Inoue’s fights don’t take place during watchable hours. Hopefully, it isn’t the same with Nakatani because he’s more entertaining to watch than Inoue due to his George Foreman-esque power.
Inoue’s last six fights since have been in Japan, and his matches are shown in the early morning hours in the U.S. on ESPN. That’s not ideal for him to be seen.
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