Inoue Gets Knocked Out — Junto Nakatani Foresees Drama in Nishida Bout and a Future Mega-Fight

Nishida will come to realize it

In preparation for the WBC/IBF unified bantamweight title match on June 8, Junto Nakatani (27) remains relentless in his training. IBF champion Ryosuke Nishida (28) too has earned his position through hard work — but frankly, they’re in different leagues.

While the WBC champion is now a regular fixture in the pound-for-pound top 10, the IBF titleholder isn’t even recognized by name in the boxing heartlands. It’s no surprise that Monster Naoya Inoue (32) has expressed interest in facing Nakatani — because it’s Nakatani’s skill set that makes for a mega-fight, something Nishida simply can’t deliver. There’s no way the Tokyo Dome would sell out for that.

Starting April 20, Nakatani pushed himself to the limit in his annual one-month L.A. training camp, completing a staggering 268 rounds of sparring. Even after returning to Japan, he continues introspective work as he sets his sights on the next stage.

Around the second week of the L.A. camp, Nakatani began wearing a matching set of pink headgear, gloves, and no-foul cup for sparring. They weren’t his own — he borrowed them from WBO flyweight champion and teammate Anthony Olascuaga (26). Smiling wryly, he explained, “I washed mine, and they wouldn’t dry” and continued using Olascuaga’s gear all the way through to the camp’s final day on May 19.

Olascuaga, one year younger than Nakatani, first met the current WBC bantamweight champ — who had come from Japan with big ambitions — when he was 14.

“Both Junto and I have been coached by Rudy Hernandez since we were kids. I’d been hanging around Rudy’s house since I was about eight or nine. I was best friends with his stepson Mike.

My biological father was abusive to my mother and got deported to Mexico. I grew up in a poor household with a single mother raising six kids, and I was a troubled kid. Rudy took me in like a father figure. I still deeply respect and appreciate him for that.

At first, I wasn’t thinking ‘I’m definitely going to make it as a pro boxer!’ or anything. I liked soccer and basketball too, and boxing was just something I was doing on the side. Then one day when I was 15, I sparred with Junto and he dropped me with a body shot. It pissed me off, and that’s when I decided to take this seriously.”

Since then, they’ve been gymmates for over 10 years.

“This time too, Junto trained every day with incredible motivation. His mental toughness is the foundation of it all — his focus never wavers for a single moment. For me, he’s the perfect example. I learn so much just watching him. His boxing ethic always amazes me.

Just like Muhammad Ali, Junto is a champion not only in the ring, but in how he carries himself outside of it — his roadwork, his approach to training, how he prepares his mind and body, how he rests. Everything about him is champion-level.”

When asked for a prediction on the Nishida fight, Olascuaga said:

“I’ve only seen about two of Nishida’s fights on YouTube, but he’s got a good jab and a solid one-two. Still, it’s at a good level. Junto’s boxing is excellent, and as a champion, he’s something special.

In speed, power, and technique, Junto surpasses Nishida in every aspect. That said, Nishida does have what it takes to become a world champion, so he’ll probably endure for a while.

I think he’ll hold out until around the 5th or 6th round. But Junto’s KO win is inevitable. Nishida’s going to realize the gulf in ability. The speed, the strength — it’s a different level.”

Nakatani dominates the distance

And Olascuaga also spoke about Naoya Inoue, the man everyone’s watching.

“I watched the May 4 Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas fight on TV. Honestly, I was really shocked when Inoue got knocked down. It was kind of like what happened against Luis Nery too. But I don’t think he’s in decline.

I figure Inoue was thinking, ‘This’ll be an easy fight,’ like ‘I’ll beat Cardenas without breaking a sweat.’ That kind of lapse in focus probably led to that knockdown. From the start, he was underestimating the challenger.

After taking that shot, you could see Inoue switch to ‘Okay — now it’s real fight time.’ His mentality totally changed. From round four on, he showed his true form.”

The WBO flyweight champ went on cheerfully.

“Honestly, when he went down, I felt a chill. I got scared that the big match between Junto and Inoue might get canceled. I’ve spent so many years alongside Junto, I know exactly what he’s capable of. He was born to box — I truly believe that.

The Junto vs. Inoue fight’s set for next year, right? If possible, I’d love to have my rematch with Kenshiro on that undercard too. But from what I hear, they’re like ‘I already beat that guy — no benefit to fighting him again.’

That last fight, I only had two weeks’ notice because it was a last-minute substitute bout. I had to drop down a weight class too. If I’d had a little more time… if we do get a rematch, I’m confident I’ll win. And if Kenshiro won’t do it, the IBF flyweight champ Yabuki’s fine too. I want a unification fight as well. (laughs)”

As for his prediction on the highly anticipated Japanese showdown between Nakatani and Monster, he said this:

“Junto’s going to win. He’ll use his reach to control the distance. Inoue’s fast, but Junto’s got speed equal to or better than his. And he’s smart — he’ll command the ring. He’ll time it and bang! land a big shot.

Inoue’s pressure is intense, so I think Junto will have some tough moments too. But in the later rounds, Junto will either KO him or force a referee stoppage. Junto can counter off any punch, and at a level that’s honestly shocking. I can picture him catching Inoue with a counter to end it.”

The truth is, Olascuaga himself has long admired Inoue’s performances in the ring.

“Inoue’s a tremendous fighter. That’s why I’ve always looked forward to his matches. He’s a great, lovable fighter and one of my idols. I’ve learned a lot from how he finishes his opponents and applies pressure.

I want him to keep winning until that Junto fight. It’s going to be an incredible match. And afterward, Junto will be number one in the boxing world.”

Olascuaga, who didn’t grow up in privileged circumstances, pays the rent for his mother, who raised three older sisters, an older brother, himself, and a younger brother all on her own.

“I’d love to rent her an apartment somewhere near L.A. But it’s expensive, you know? So for now, I’ve got her living in a suburb where the rent’s about half of what it is in L.A. Someday, I want to buy her a house.”

Olascuaga proudly shared that the happiest moment since he started boxing wasn’t becoming a world champion — it was using the fight purse from his bout against Kenshiro Teraji to buy a used white Toyota Corolla. He also revealed a dream for life after boxing: to open a barbershop.

“When I was 17, there was this mentor figure who played basketball with me. He gave me a lot of motivation about how to live my life. And he was great at cutting hair too — I’d always get my hair done by him.

I learned a little from him, then seriously started practicing on my own. I studied videos on YouTube and gradually got better. I’ve cut Junto’s hair many times too. I want to run a shop where everyone walks out with a smile. And of course, I’ll personally cut hair for customers too.”

Feeling that bond of friendship from the WBO flyweight champ, Nakatani now aims for even greater stages. As a thank-you, he plans to gift Olascuaga a brand-new set of boxing gear.

You can purchase Soichi Hayashi’s book “Minority no Ken” — a portrayal of the lives of true warriors in the boxing world — here.