Top Rank announces co-promotional deal with WBC champ Junto Nakatani

Undefeated Junto Nakatani has signed a co-promotional deal with Top Rank. The deal would see Top Rank teaming up with Teiken Promotions and M.T Boxing Gym to co-promote the three-division pound-for-pound Japanese star.

Nakatani, 26, who holds the WBC bantamweight title, is expected to make his ring return before the end of the year. Nakatani (28-0, 21 KOs), from Sagamihara, Japan, defended his title last Saturday with a first-round stoppage over Vincent Astrolabio to improve to 7-0 in world title fights.

The hard-hitting southpaw, who trains in Los Angeles with Rudy Hernandez, is ranked No. 10 on the Ring Magazine pound-for-pound list.

“Junto Nakatani is an exceptional, unique talent,” said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum. “He is a force of nature and one of the sport’s most vicious punchers. The Junto Nakatani era is just starting. He will be the pound-for-pound king one day, and I am thrilled that he’s decided to join the Top Rank stable.”

Nakatani said, “Thank you to Bob Arum and everyone at Top Rank. This is a significant moment in my career, and I want to continue giving boxing fans great fights.”

The Japanese fighter recently called out compatriot undisputed junior featherweight titlist Naoya “The Monster” Inoue who is scheduled to defend his belts against former IBF bantamweight champ TJ Doheny.