WBC Special Preview: Nakatani vs. Cuellar
WBC STATISTICS
WBC Bantamweight World Championship
February 24, 2025 / Tokyo, Japan / Ariake Arena
TEIKEN PROMOTIONS and TOP RANK PRESENT:
JUNTO NAKATANI (Japan)
· WBC Bantamweight World Champion, 3rd Defense
Age: 27 / Date of birth: January 2, 1998
Residence: Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan / Birthplace: Inabe-Gun, Toin Cho, Mie, Japan
Record: 29-0, 22 KOs / Total rounds: 143 / World championship fights: 8-0, 7 KOs
Height: 5’7” – 170cm / Reach: 67” – 170cm / Stance: Left-handed
Promoter: Akihiko Honda / Manager: Takeshi Murano / Trainer: Rudy Hernandez
DAVID “El General” CUELLAR (Mexico)
· Ranked WBC #6 at Bantamweight
· Former WBC International Super Flyweight Champion
· Former WBC Youth Silver Super Flyweight Champion
Age: 23 / Date of birth: October 26, 2001
Residence: Queretaro, Queretaro, Mexico / Birthplace: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Record: 28-0, 18 KOs / Total rounds: 135
Height: 5’8.5” – 174cm / Reach: 67.5” – 171cm / Stance: Right-handed
Promoter: Oswaldo Küchle / Manager: Juan Carlos Contreras / Trainer: Jose “Chepo” Reynoso
WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS
1. Eder Jofre (Brazil) 1963 – 1965
2. Masahiko Harada (Jap) 1965 – 1968
3. Lionel Rose (Aust) 1968 – 1969
4. Ruben Olivares (Mex) 1969 – 1970
5. Chucho Castillo (Mex) 1970 – 1971
6. Ruben Olivares (Mex) * 1971 – 1972
7. Rafael Herrera (Mex) 1972
8. Enrique Pinder (Pan) 1972
9. Rafael Herrera (Mex) * 1973 – 1974
10. Rodolfo Martinez (Mex) 1974 – 1976
11. Carlos Zarate (Mex) 1976 – 1979
12. Lupe Pintor (Mex) 1979 – 1982
13. Albert Davila (US) 1983 – 1984
14. Daniel Zaragoza (Mex) 1985
15. Miguel Lora (Col) 1985 – 1988
16. Raul Perez (Mex) 1988 – 1991
17. Greg Richardson (US) 1991
18. Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (Jap) 1991 – 1993
19. Victor Rabanales (Mex) Interim 1992 – 1993
20. Jungil Byun (Kor) 1993
21. Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (Jap) Interim * 1993 – 1994
22. Yasuei Yakushiji (Jap) 1993 – 1995
23. Wayne McCullough (Ire) 1995 – 1996
24. Sirimongkol Singmanassuk (Thai) 1996 – 1997
25. Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (Jap) * 1997 – 1998
26. Veeraphol Nakhonluang (Thai) 1998 – 2005
27. Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan) 2005 – 2010
28. Fernando Montiel (Mexico) 2010 – 2011
29. Nonito Donaire (Phil) 2011
30. Shinsuke Yamanaka (Japan) 2011 – 2017
31. Luis Nery (Mexico) 2017 – 2018
32. Takuma Inoue (Japan) Interim 2018
33. Nordine Oubaali (France) 2019 – 2021
34. Nonito Donaire (Phil)* 2021 – 2022
35. Naoya Inoue (Japan) 2022
36. Alexandro Santiago (Mexico) 2023 – 2024
37. Junto Nakatani (Japan) 2024 –
*Regained
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE BANTAMWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY:
32 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, four of whom have regained the title: Ruben Olivares (Mexico), Rafael Herrera (Mexico), Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (Japan) two times, Nonito Donaire.
142 bantamweight world title bouts have been held in WBC history.
WBC TOP 10 BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONS
1. Carlos Zarate (Mexico)
2. Eder Jofre (Brazil)
3. Ruben Olivares (Mexico)
4. Rafael Herrera (Mexico)
5. Veeraphol Nakhonluang (Thai)
6. Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (Japan)
7. Jungil Byun (Korea)
8. Yasuei Yakushiji (Japan)
9. Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan)
10. Shinsuke Yamanaka (Japan)
MEMORABLE WBC BANTAMWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS
Oct. 14, 2024 Junto Nakatani TKO6 Petch Sor Chitpattana – Tokyo, Japan
July 20, 2024 Junto Nakatani KO7 Vincent Astrolabio – Tokyo, Japan
Feb. 24, 2024 Junto Nakatani TKO6 Alexandro Santiago – Tokyo, Japan
July 29, 2023 Alexandro Santiago W12 Nonito Donaire – Las Vegas, Nevada
Dec.13, 2022 Naoya Inoue KO11 Paul Butler – Tokyo, Japan
June 7, 2022 Naoya Inoue TKO2 Nonito Donaire – Saitama, Japan
Dec. 11, 2021 Nonito Donaire KO4 Reymart Gaballo – Carson, California
May 29, 2021 Nonito Donaire KO4 Nordine Oubaali – Carson, California
Nov. 7, 2019 Nordine Oubaali W12 Takuma Inoue – Saitama, Japan
Jan. 19, 2019 Nordine Oubaali W12 Rau’Shee Warren – Las Vegas, Nevada
Aug. 15, 2017 Luis Nery KO4 Shinsuke Yamanaka – Kyoto, Japan
Sep. 22, 2015 Shinsuke Yamanaka W12 Anselmo Moreno – Tokyo, Japan
Nov. 6, 2011 Shinsuke Yamanaka TKO11 Christian Esquivel – Tokyo, Japan
Feb. 19, 2011 Nonito Donaire TKO2 Fernando Montiel – Las Vegas, Nevada
Apr. 30, 2010 Fernando Montiel TKO4 Hozumi Hasegawa – Tokyo, Japan
Apr. 16, 2005 Hozumi Hasegawa W12 Veeraphol Sahaprom – Tokyo, Japan
June 25, 2000 Veeraphol Sahaprom W12 Toshiaki Nishioka – Takasago, Japan
Aug. 10, 1996 Sirimongkol Singwancha TKO5 Jose Luis Bueno – Phitsanulok, Thailand
Jul. 30, 1995 Wayne McCullough W12 Yasuei Yakushiji – Nagoya, Japan
Sep. 17, 1992 Victor Rabanales TKO9 Joichiro Tatsuyoshi – Osaka, Japan
Sep. 19, 1991 Joichiro Tatsuyoshi TKO10 Greg Richardson – Moriguchi, Japan
Oct. 29, 1988 Raul Perez W12 Miguel Lora – Las Vegas, Nevada
Aug. 9, 1985 Miguel Lora W12 Daniel Zaragoza – Miami, Florida
June 3, 1979 Lupe Pintor W15 Carlos Zarate – Las Vegas, Nevada
May 8, 1976 Carlos Zarate KO9 Rodolfo Martinez – Inglewood, California
Dec. 7, 1974 Rodolfo Martinez TKO4 Rafael Herrera – Merida, Yucatan
Mar. 19, 1972 Rafael Herrera KO5 Ruben Olivares – Mexico City, Distrito Federal
Aug. 22, 1969 Ruben Olivares KO4 Lionel Rose – Inglewood, California
Mar. 8, 1969 Lionel Rose W15 Alan Rudkin – Melbourne, Australia
May 18, 1965 Fighting Harada W15 Eder Jofre – Nagoya, Japan
Apr. 4, 1963 Eder Jofre KO3 Katsutoshi Aoki – Tokyo, Japan
Fighter Of Love Vs The General
By James Blears
Formidable World Boxing Council bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani defends his Green and Gold Belt against hard hitting David ‘’The General’’ Cuellar on February 24th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
This fight involves ultra-high stakes for several reasons. The first is that David from Mexico, who`s fighting away from home for the first time, is determined to go all out and topple a Goliath. His record of 28-0, 18 KO`s demonstrates demolition derby destructive abilities. Notably, that in his own right and often with his own potent right, he can indeed Sunday Punch and he says he`s keen to test his power on Junto, who himself is renowned for his devastating poleaxing left hand, which so often applies the finishing touch and punctuation mark, executing the job with ruthless aplomb. Junto`s impressive record is 29-0, 22 KO`s.
Further down the line this year, there are plans percolating and brewing for the heady, shaken not stirred mix of Junto Vs Undisputed Super-bantamweight champion and compatriot Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue 29-0, 26 KO`s. That will be the biggest fight between Japanese boxers in at least half a century. Both are still undefeated. One has conquered four weight divisions, the other three. It should be dubbed: ‘’The Seven Samurai?’’
Both have to stay in tip- top battle-hardened teak hue readiness for this blockbuster classic. Naoya was to have fought Jason Moloney, who had to pull out, after twice suffering cuts during sparring. He was replaced at short notice by Korean fighter Ye Joon kim, who Naoya initially studied, but then stopped in four torrid rounds. There is talk of Naoya setting himself a sterner more exacting test in the coming months by fighting WBC super-bantamweight Silver Champion Alan David Picasso 31-0-1, 17 KO`s. Top Rank is hoping and planning to entice The Monster to leave his ‘’Lair’’ venture out of his comfort Zone and come to the Las Vegas.
To punch and stamp his ticket to the Big Time, Junto must overcome ‘’The General’’ who is ambitious to be promoted to Field Marshall. Junto stands five feet eight inches tall. He towers over many of his opponents. This won`t be the case with hard-case David, who is exactly the same height. Junto`s reach is sixty- eight and a half inches. David`s wingspan is but one inch less.
Junto has already sent a message of intent, and the writing is on the wall. It declares; ‘’This year I want to fight in a way that makes me known around the World. And while studying footage of my opponent, I want to make my timing more precise.’’
Words of a Maestro and a perfectionist. Anyone who saw him drop Andrew Moloney…Jason`s twin brother in the second, eleventh and then goodnight sweet prince clobber in the twelfth round, or witnessed the drilling of Vincent Astrolabio in just one from a sinking body shot, or the overwhelming of Petch Sor Chitpattana via a sixth round TKO, would tend to say Junto`s timing is already close to spot on.
Just as David must be wary and watch out for that long and often as not devastating straight left, which seemingly comes from nowhere, but is also chillingly effectively or the oft repeated windmill uppercut, Junto must be aware of The incoming right which is might, emanating from Dave. It`s made pundits rave.
Junto has won world titles at flyweight, super-flyweight and he is now bantamweight supremo. Coach Rudy Hernandez, who trained brother Genaro, says Junto is the best he`s ever nurtured plus developed and flourished. Because of his large frame, which is currently still lanky, he can go up at least several more weight divisions, while retaining his ‘’Mule kick’’ power.
David who is from Queretaro, will now be a road warrior for the first time in his career. He will need to quickly shake off jetlag, accustom and acclimatize himself. Visiting fighters always receive a cordial, respectful welcome plus polite acknowledgement in Japan. Yet the codicil is that they are rooting from their compatriot, who will enjoy all the home comforts in spite of the fact that he`s currently training in the Los Angeles area with Rudy.
David`s talent and potential were spotted early. He was chosen to be part of the very select Ring Telmex-Telcel scholarship, which is a rocking cradle for future world champions. He justified that confidence by winning the vacant WBC Silver Youth super-flyweight title stopping Karem ‘’Traviesito’’ Arce in nine rugged rounds. He also defeated former world champion Moises Fuentes, who tragically died of his injuries. David won the WBC International super-flyweight title with a fourth round KO over Gilberto Pedroza and stopped Luis Concepcion via TKO in eight. He retains his chilling power at any point of a fight and this thus makes him dangerous throughout.
David`s nickname is The General. This was one of Buster Keaton`s most famous silent movies. Known as ‘’Little Stone face<’’ no matter what calamities befell him…and there were many, Buster remained stoic and poker-faced impassive. Similarly, David must keep his cool in this one against a veritable ‘’Cool Hand Luke>’’ whose left has left many opponents bereft, long before the final reel.
David`s second surname is Contreras. Translated into English it means contrary. Doyen of actors Jimmy Cagney, who was famous for his gangster roles, said that Producer Jack Warner referred to him as: ‘’A Professional Againster!’’ David is up against it.
Junto`s nickname is ‘’Ai No Kenshi / Fighter of Love.’’ As the Beatles so famously sang: ‘’All you need is Love. Love is all you need.’’
David is not the bookies` favourite in this one. If he won, he`d slingshot/catapult himself into the limelight and the Big Time. Junto has much to look forward to later this year, but obviously isn`t overlooking an opponent who possesses KO power in either hand. A Slip-up at this stage for Junto, would prove extremely, exceedingly, extravagantly and extensively expensive. Of that…he`s only too well aware.
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