Junto Nakatani acknowledges tall order in defense against David Cuellar

Ahead of his title defense against David Cuellar, the bantamweight titleholder Junto Nakatani is hoping the old adage is true – size matters.

Nakatani, 29-0 (22 KOs), of Japan, will take on Cuellar, 28-0 (18 KOs), of Queretaro, Mexico, on February 24 at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.

Although the 5ft 8½in Cuellar stands only a half inch taller – and actually gives away an inch of reach – Nakatani thinks it can make a difference in his performance, in a good way.

“I’m looking at a tall opponent,” Nakatani, 27, told BoxingScene, “and I think in this fight I will be able to show you all more of my style.”

At Tuesday’s workout, Nakatani was accompanied by the flyweight titleholder Anthony Olascuaga and an eight-year-old prodigy named Ethan.

“We are working hard and intensifying as we get closer to the fight,” Nakatani said of his routine under his long-time trainer Rudy Hernandez. “Rudy and I have a lot of history together. Keeping the relationship, nurturing and honoring that relationship is a big part of why I have grown as a fighter.”

Hernandez, who counts his brother and former titleholder Genaro “Chicanito” Hernandez among his current and past fighters, said that Nakatani was “born talented” but combines his gifts with hard work and study.

“When I mean he studies the sport, it’s that he does things differently,” Hernandez told BoxingScene ahead of the fight with the 23-year-old Cuellar. “He is the best fighter I ever had – even better than my brother.”

Most recently Nakatani scored a sixth-round stoppage over Tasana Salapat, in October 2024, when successfully defending his WBC title for the second time. He won it that February with a sixth-round stoppage of Alejandro Santiago, and made his first defense of the title by disposing of Vincent Astrolabio in one round in July.

Cuellar, meanwhile, is coming off of a unanimous decision over Jose Velasquez in May. He will be fighting outside of Mexico for the first time when he travels to Japan for his opportunity at the world title.

“I know he is tall, and I have seen some of his fights on video,” Nakatani said of Cuellar. “His lead hand with hooks and uppercuts are very dangerous.”

Nakatani’s goal in 2025 is to begin dethroning fellow bantamweight titleholders and Japanese countrymen Ryosuke Nishida (IBF), Seiya Tsutsumi (WBA), Yoshiki Takei (WBO).

“I have been saying I want to unify the titles,” he said. “I want to have a great performance in my next fight so I can get closer to that unification.”