Mexico's Alexandro Santiago heads into the lion’s den for the maiden defence of his WBC bantamweight title when he faces Japanese power puncher Junto Nakatani at the Kokugikan in Tokyo on February 24. The 12-round bout is the chief support to the Takuma Inoue vs. Jerwin Ancajas world title fight and will be aired on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Santiago (26-3-5, 14 KOs) is coming off a 12-round unanimous decision win over former multi-weight world champion and future Hall of Famer Nonito Donaire. The 28-year-old Mexican put on an inspired display to upset the odds and achieve a lifelong dream of becoming a world champion.
Nakatani (26-0, 19 KOs) has already captured world titles at flyweight and super flyweight. The 26-year-old lefty will be entering his third weight class in three-and-a-half years and a dominant win could kick open the door to the unification bouts he craves.
WATCH: Takuma Inoue vs. Jerwin Ancajas, exclusively on ESPN+
The Sporting News now provides odds and a final prediction on the main event in Japan.
Alexandro Santiago vs. Junto Nakatani betting odds
Per BetMGM, Nakatani is the -700 favourite while Santiago is the +500 underdog. The draw is +2000.
Alexandro Santiago vs. Junto Nakatani trends
The odds below will be provided courtesy of BetMGM once available:
- Santiago via KO/TKO/Tech. Dec/DQ: N/A
- Santiago via decision: N/A
- Nakatani via KO/TKO/Tech. Dec/ DQ: N/A
- Nakatani via decision: N/A
MORE: How to bet on combat sports
Alexandro Santiago vs. Junto Nakatani prediction, best bets
While Santiago performed brilliantly against Donaire to win his world title, that victory had a lot to do with timing. "The Filipino Flash" was 40 years old and he's on the decline. While that evaluation may sound harsh, you’ll struggle to find a fight fan who would pick Santiago to take down the Donaire of five or six years ago.
Nakatani is in his absolute prime and has so many advantages here. At 5-7, he has a four-and-a-half inch height advantage, as well as a one-and-a-half inch edge in reach (67 to 65 ½). He’s also a southpaw, a thunderous puncher and he has home advantage. Bottom line: this mission could scarcely be more difficult for the defending champion.
Santiago has never been stopped but there’s always a first time. The challenger will be determined to make a serious impression in a new weight class before targeting the other world champions. As evidenced by his Knockout of the Year triumph over Andrew Moloney, we know just how devastating Nakatani can be with a single punch.
It's not beyond the realms of possibility that a tough Mexican warrior like Santiago lasts the distance. However, I just have the feeling that Nakatani forces a late stoppage to become a three-weight world champion.
