Thoughts on Junto Nakatani's next potential fight?

Nishida said he wanted to fight Junto on Monday. On Monday... *looks at calender* ... ... ... ...Yeah, Teiken changed their mind and decided to pony up real good money "for a mysterious reason" after Sunday. Hope it materializes, Nishida definitely is a money chaser but at the same time if that is all thats needed, with Takuma gone its the only other choice.

As recent as this month Nishida and his team said he isn't looking at unifications, and currently looking for a homecoming voluntary defense for December. He also said he's hoping for a Tenshin fight (aka cash grab) next year. ...Unless one possibility, after Takuma's loss Teiken/Top Rank agreed to bite the bullet and made a HUGE overpriced monetary offer to Nishida well above what he'll make the next few fights combined plus worth forgoing a chance at Nasukawa money. As for Bam, he probably is looking for winner of Martinez-Ioka after Guevara and Choco seems more likely to go for Takei. Nishida said he wanted to fight Junto on Monday.

Oh, not surprised. Japan is really strict about punishing not making weight. I just read a case where they permanently revoked a Japanese guy's boxing license recently, tho that was because he missed weight for the third time. Then again this point is anyone even going to bother to pick him up, especially a Japanese based promoter that would want to try to get him to fight in Japan knowing his antics? I doubt Masayuki Ito of Treasure Boxing who had a contract with him that just ended is going to reup with him at this point, I believe he lost a crap ton of money due on him. Wasn't he with Gibbons for a while? That guy is a POS. Birds of a feather, and all that. But if nobody picks him up, I'm not gonna be sad about it.

Casimero just got a year suspension in Japan, so it's a moot point anyways. I honestly just want him to take a beating and then go away. He's a hypejob, IMO. Oh, not surprised. Japan is really strict about punishing not making weight. I just read a case where they permanently revoked a Japanese guy's boxing license recently, tho that was because he missed weight for the third time. Then again this point is anyone even going to bother to pick him up, especially a Japanese based promoter that would want to try to get him to fight in Japan knowing his antics? I doubt Masayuki Ito of Treasure Boxing who had a contract with him that just ended is going to reup with him at this point, I believe he lost a crap ton of money due on him.

As for Casimero, at this point I'd rather Nakatani go up to 122 then fight Tapales instead than him. Casimero just got a year suspension in Japan, so it's a moot point anyways. I honestly just want him to take a beating and then go away. He's a hypejob, IMO.

As for Casimero, at this point I'd rather Nakatani go up to 122 then fight Tapales instead than him.

I hear you on that, but don't you think that they ought to fight each other at least, if not Junto? Next best fights for him might be guys like Casimero (to sell the narrative that he was willing to fight the guy that Inoue didn't, even if that's entirely on Casimero). Offer the fight at 118, and he won't have to risk his belt because Casimero won't even make weight. It's a shame promotional issues might prevent him from fighting Estrada, because that's another interesting fight since Estrada doesn't want another beating from Bam. Ironically as soon as Nakatani vacates everyone is likely to start fighting eachother. Albeit far feached as hell, in the super perfect dream world for Teiken what they hoped was the following: Takuma/Nakatani win convincingly, start promoting unification next spring. Nasukawa dominates for the regional title, shows further improvement and hype for Takei match next year Nakatani wins unification next spring, builds the story then vacates both belts to go take on Naoya at 122 The likes of Takuma/Tsutsumi/other Jr guys in their stable can regain one or two of the vacated belts later in 2025 Winner of Tenshin/Takei (preferably the more marketable Tenshin) fights Nishida in unification and win in late 2025 Unified champion Tenshin Nasukawa fights the other two beltholders in 2027 to go undisputed at 118 Nakatani re-collects all the 122 belts left by Naoya to go undisputed 2028 Super clash between two undisputed in Japan Reality hit hard where Takuma lost and Tenshin showed some weakness and vulnerability against someone they considered a significantly lesser opponent in Asilo. By the Nishida is hoping for a Nasukawa payday then go up to 122 afterwards regardless of result and go for a belt soon to be vacated by Naoya before Nakatani recollects them all.

Being fair the one I'm really irked is Nishida's lack of activity or willingness to do much after his win against ERod. Takei took on Moloney on his 9th fight and then just 4 month later followed it up with a rather hard, non-pushover opponent solid fellow countryman Daigo Higa to do his first defense against which certainly had its worth for the Japanese fans. There is also the rumor (which I think has a fair amount of reality in it) that he might be fighting Chocolatito next on the December Inoue undercard, which is quite a nice streak of tough bantamweight opponents for a new beltholder to accept in a 7 month span. He also has an ongoing rivalry from his kickboxing era with Tenshin Nasukawa, and practically everyone is dreaming of those two fighting at the end of next year and can't afford to give a 100% guaranteed loss to Nakatani just yet. Given that Nasukawa is by defacto the 2nd most popular boxer right now in Japan after Naoya due to his kickboxing P4P status, him vs Takei world title is possibly the only Tokyo Dome capable main boxing event not involving Naoya. He lost, but credit to Takuma is that while he knew the fans expected him to get rolled over, he himself actually believed that he had the skills to cause a huge upset and was willing to take the risk that no one else was even considering. Obviously it didn't go as people hoped but in a way mentality wise he was the strongest out of the other three beltholders. It probably also helped that had he won this weekend, he would've had 2 years and 3 defenses as a beltholder to enjoy the feeling as a world champion even if he lost to Nakatani next spring. Tsutsumi gave his heart and soul to get the belt, and expecting him to immediately be willing to relinquish his super hard earned belt from the childhood dream on his next match a few month later just so someone else (Nakatani) can use him as a stepping stone to further stardom is kinda unfair. He said he would be up for an unification in the future if the chance comes by, and I understand his feeling of wanting to have a defense that he has a good chance of winning first before facing promised loss of belt. Unfortunately Nakatani needs an opponent NEXT, not some potential opponent for sometime in the future and can't wait that long especially considering the potential Naoya fight. Which brings me to Nishida...congratz to him for overcoming the underdog status to defeat ERod, credit to that. That being said, his long inactivity after his win in March along with the frequent statement that he's got zero interest in unifications not just Nakatani but in general (but is openly welcoming and appealing to fight with Nasukawa for BIG cash and media coverage in Japan), and that he plans to move up and aim for 2nd division relatively soon (aka as soon as Naoya vacates then slide in for an easier vacant belt match) kinda left a bitter image on me. Rumor has him doing an easy defense in December in his hometown, but I have a bad feeling after that he'll fight the winner of Erod/Salas mandatory 2nd half next year and thats it for his 118 defense unless he gets to fight Nasukawa after he fights Takei and win. I hear you on that, but don't you think that they ought to fight each other at least, if not Junto? Next best fights for him might be guys like Casimero (to sell the narrative that he was willing to fight the guy that Inoue didn't, even if that's entirely on Casimero). Offer the fight at 118, and he won't have to risk his belt because Casimero won't even make weight. It's a shame promotional issues might prevent him from fighting Estrada, because that's another interesting fight since Estrada doesn't want another beating from Bam.

Most sources say Nishida now. Since Takuma us out, everyone is looking at diff opponents. Nishida wants Junto. But I rather see Bam or Choco. As recent as this month Nishida and his team said he isn't looking at unifications, and currently looking for a homecoming voluntary defense for December. He also said he's hoping for a Tenshin fight (aka cash grab) next year. ...Unless one possibility, after Takuma's loss Teiken/Top Rank agreed to bite the bullet and made a HUGE overpriced monetary offer to Nishida well above what he'll make the next few fights combined plus worth forgoing a chance at Nasukawa money. As for Bam, he probably is looking for winner of Martinez-Ioka after Guevara and Choco seems more likely to go for Takei.

Most sources say Nishida now. Since Takuma us out, everyone is looking at diff opponents. Nishida wants Junto. But I rather see Bam or Choco.

Well the fight with Inoue (2x undisputed bro) could still happen eventually but that loss bro took def takes away the build up. Nakatani should fight the rest of the belt holders in his division, try to become undisputed then him and Inoue could make a huge fight happen end of next year. What I like about them over there is they have no problem making the fights. The main point of the topic is that due to the above reasons given, strictly in the case of Nakatani he can't score an unification. Takuma really was an exception. Ironically, back when the beltholders were Nakatani/Takuma/ERod/Moloney it might have been easier because ERod, had he won against Nishida was talking about wanting unification for good money next, and Moloney was hoping for avenging his brother and he had the mentality believing he was the best but his skills failed his mental strength.

It's crazy how the others refuse to do unifications. IMO any belt holder that refuses to unify should be stripped. You're no world champion if you're unwilling to face the best. Whatever happened to wanting to prove you were the best? Thank goodness for Naoya Inoue. Being fair the one I'm really irked is Nishida's lack of activity or willingness to do much after his win against ERod. Takei took on Moloney on his 9th fight and then just 4 month later followed it up with a rather hard, non-pushover opponent solid fellow countryman Daigo Higa to do his first defense against which certainly had its worth for the Japanese fans. There is also the rumor (which I think has a fair amount of reality in it) that he might be fighting Chocolatito next on the December Inoue undercard, which is quite a nice streak of tough bantamweight opponents for a new beltholder to accept in a 7 month span. He also has an ongoing rivalry from his kickboxing era with Tenshin Nasukawa, and practically everyone is dreaming of those two fighting at the end of next year and can't afford to give a 100% guaranteed loss to Nakatani just yet. Given that Nasukawa is by defacto the 2nd most popular boxer right now in Japan after Naoya due to his kickboxing P4P status, him vs Takei world title is possibly the only Tokyo Dome capable main boxing event not involving Naoya. He lost, but credit to Takuma is that while he knew the fans expected him to get rolled over, he himself actually believed that he had the skills to cause a huge upset and was willing to take the risk that no one else was even considering. Obviously it didn't go as people hoped but in a way mentality wise he was the strongest out of the other three beltholders. It probably also helped that had he won this weekend, he would've had 2 years and 3 defenses as a beltholder to enjoy the feeling as a world champion even if he lost to Nakatani next spring. Tsutsumi gave his heart and soul to get the belt, and expecting him to immediately be willing to relinquish his super hard earned belt from the childhood dream on his next match a few month later just so someone else (Nakatani) can use him as a stepping stone to further stardom is kinda unfair. He said he would be up for an unification in the future if the chance comes by, and I understand his feeling of wanting to have a defense that he has a good chance of winning first before facing promised loss of belt. Unfortunately Nakatani needs an opponent NEXT, not some potential opponent for sometime in the future and can't wait that long especially considering the potential Naoya fight. Which brings me to Nishida...congratz to him for overcoming the underdog status to defeat ERod, credit to that. That being said, his long inactivity after his win in March along with the frequent statement that he's got zero interest in unifications not just Nakatani but in general (but is openly welcoming and appealing to fight with Nasukawa for BIG cash and media coverage in Japan), and that he plans to move up and aim for 2nd division relatively soon (aka as soon as Naoya vacates then slide in for an easier vacant belt match) kinda left a bitter image on me. Rumor has him doing an easy defense in December in his hometown, but I have a bad feeling after that he'll fight the winner of Erod/Salas mandatory 2nd half next year and thats it for his 118 defense unless he gets to fight Nasukawa after he fights Takei and win.

Well the fight with Inoue (2x undisputed bro) could still happen eventually but that loss bro took def takes away the build up. Nakatani should fight the rest of the belt holders in his division, try to become undisputed then him and Inoue could make a huge fight happen end of next year. What I like about them over there is they have no problem making the fights.

It's crazy how the others refuse to do unifications. IMO any belt holder that refuses to unify should be stripped. You're no world champion if you're unwilling to face the best. Whatever happened to wanting to prove you were the best? Thank goodness for Naoya Inoue.