Vincent Astrolabio’s mission is hard but not impossible in his title challenge of unbeaten WBC bantamweight Champion Junto Nakatani (27-0, 20 KOs) on July 20th at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. The event will be shown live on ESPN+.
Challenger Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio looks in great shape for the most important fight of his career next week against KO artist Nakatani.
Intense Preparation
Astrolabio, 27, is preparing at the famous MP Gym under the guidance of former Pacquiao coach Nonoy Neri. He wants to take full advantage of the opportunity to fight again for the world title after failing to capture the vacant WBO 118-lb title last year in a twelve-round majority decision loss to Jason Moloney on May 13, 2023.
Astrolabio is 100% focused on being ready for this fight, thanks to Neri’s guidance.
Neri will take to Japan the same team members who helped Astrolabio win by knockout in round 11 over Thai Navapon Khaikanha almost a year ago in Thailand. That victory in August last year granted Vincent Astrolabio the right to fight for the WBC bantamweight title.
The Formidable Champion
Astrolabio believes he could find a way to win, although, on paper, the combat looks tricky. Junto Nakatani is the most dangerous boxer Astrolabio has ever faced. Nakatani is explosive and a little slow but has great skills and terrible power. In addition, he is young, only 26, and with the great advantage of fighting at home.
Junto Nakatani won the best “KO of the year 2023” award when he destroyed Andrew Moloney, dismantling the Australian in round 12 in Las Vegas.
Astrolabio has faced Guillermo Rigondeaux and Jason Moloney, with whom he fought a battle he eventually lost in a majority decision. However, one of the judges scored a draw.
The other two world title matches in the series are between Japanese Riku Kano and Mexican-American Anthony Olascuaga for the vacant WBO flyweight title.
The world champion of four divisions, “The monster of Chukyo,” Kosei Tanaka, is defending his WBO Super Flyweight title for the first time against Mexican challenger Jonathan “Titan” Rodríguez.
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