Junto Nakatani is preparing for a potentially big 2025. He will end 2024 by defending the WBC bantamweight title against Petch Sor Chitpattana on Monday, October 14. The fight and undercard action can be seen on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Nakatani (28-0) is a multi-division world champion, holding gold at flyweight, super flyweight and bantamweight. The 26-year-old has 21 wins via knockout.
While not looking past his opponent, Nakatani plans to face the Inoue brothers by the time the calendar flips to next year.
"I'm going to do what I have to do for now," Nakatani told Boxing Scene. "If there is a chance, I will. I would like first to fight his brother Takuma and then Naoya… Sor Chitpattana is a good contender, but I'm focused on training and what I am doing.
WATCH: Junto Nakatani vs. Petch Sor Chitpattana, exclusively on ESPN+
"I feel stronger at 118 pounds since I don't have to cut the extra weight. My speed helps trigger knockouts."
Petch (76-1) has won 53 fights via knockout, with his last loss coming in 2018. It will be his second time fighting outside of Thailand. The southpaw faced Takuma Inoue in 2018, losing via decision in a contest for interim gold.
Several titles are on the line on the undercard, while a former world-class kickboxer continues to progress in the ring.
Junto Nakatani vs. Petch Sor Chitpattana undercard
Here's a breakdown of all the action on the Nakatani vs. Petch card.
Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Gerwin Asilo
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Nasukawa record: 4-0
- Asilo record: 9-0
- Belts at stake: N/A
The co-feature will see Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Gerwin Asilo.
Nasukawa (4-0) is a former RISE 55 kg and RISE 57.5 kg kickboxing champion. He is best known to boxing fans for his humiliating first-round defeat to Floyd Mayweather in a 2018 exhibition match. However, Nasukawa has looked impressive since turning pro in April 2023.
A former amateur champion at the Youth level, Asilo (9-0) has four wins via knockout.
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Kosei Tanaka vs. Phumelele Cafu
- Division/Weight: Super Flyweight
- Tanaka record: 20-1
- Cafu record: 10-0-3
- Belts at stake: WBO super flyweight title
Kosei Tanaka defends the WBO super flyweight title against Phumelele Cafu.
A 2012 Youth World Championships silver medalist, Tanaka (20-1) has won gold in four divisions, becoming the fastest Japanese fighter to become a world champion. He won the WBO title to start 2024 after failing to do so in 2020.
Cafu (10-0-3) last fought in December, fighting twice in 2023 after fighting five times in 2022. It will be his first time competing outside of South Africa.
Anthony Olascuaga vs. Jonathan Gonzalez
- Division/Weight: Super Lightweight
- Olascuaga record: 7-1
- Gonzalez record: 28-3-1
- Belts at stake: WBO flyweight title
Finally, Anthony Olascuaga defends the WBO flyweight title against Jonathan Gonzalez.
Olascuaga (7-1) failed to capture the WBC light flyweight title but won the flyweight belt in July. He has five wins via knockout.
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Gonzalez (28-3-1) has held the WBO light flyweight title since 2021. Moving up in weight, he looks for his second win in 2024. A two-time gold medalist at the amateur level and a Golden Gloves winner, "Bomba" has 14 wins via knockout.
Junto Nakatani vs. Petch Sor Chitpattana tune-in info
- Date: Monday, October 14
- Time: 4 a.m. ET | 1 a.m. PT | 9 a.m. BST | 7 p.m. AEDT | 5p.m. JST
- Main event start time (approx.): 7:30 a.m. ET | 4:30 a.m. PT | | 12:30 p.m. BST | 10:30 p.m. AEDT | 8:30 p.m. JST
- Location: Ariake Arena — Tokyo, Japan
- Channel/live stream: ESPN+
Fight fans can watch Junto Nakatani vs. Petch Sor Chitpattana on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $10.99 on a monthly subscription and $109.99 on an annual subscription.
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