Junto Nakatani retains WBO super flyweight title

Japanese boxer Junto Nakatani made a successful first defense of his WBO super flyweight title Monday with a unanimous decision over Mexico’s Argi Cortes.

Nakatani knocked Cortes down twice in the fifth round and again in the ninth en route to improving his record to 26-0 with 19 knockouts.

Japanese boxer Junto Nakatani (L) throws a punch at Mexico’s Argi Cortes during the ninth round of their WBO super flyweight title match at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Sept. 18, 2023. (Kyodo)

The 25-year-old left-hander got smacked by a right from the challenger in the sixth round but managed to stay on his feet at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

“I wanted to show a convincing victory,” Nakatani said. “I scored a knockout in the final round of my previous bout, so I tried to do the same but I just couldn’t because of Cortes’ mental strength. This is a good experience.”

Japanese boxer Junto Nakatani (L) wins a unanimous decision over Mexico’s Argi Cortes in their WBO super flyweight title match at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena on Sept. 18, 2023. (Kyodo)

Cortes fell to 25-4 with 10 KOs and two draws.

In a non-title eight-rounder, former kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa defeated Luis Guzman Torres by unanimous decision in his second match since becoming a pro boxer.

Related coverage:

Boxing: Takuma Inoue to face Ancajas in 1st defense of world title

Boxing: Shigeoka brothers to fight for minimum world titles in October

Boxing: 4-division champ Inoue remains second in pound-for-pound ranking