Junto Nakatani lands knockout of the year contender on Andrew Moloney

Tom Naghten

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Junto Nakatani lands knockout of the year contender on Andrew Moloney image

Andrew Moloney was the victim of a savage knockout in his WBO super-flyweight world title bout with Junto Nakatani on the Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko undercard in Las Vegas.

The Australian was hoping to join his twin brother Jason as a world champion but suffered a brutal stoppage seconds from the final bell.

Moloney was outclassed by Nakatani, struggling to counteract the southpaw's power and reach advantage, although it wasn't for the lack of trying.

MORE: Katie Taylor vs. Chantelle Cameron results, highlights as champ spoils Irish hero's homecoming, retains titles

The Japanese former flyweight champion had sent Moloney to the canvas in rounds two and 11, seeing Moloney's trainer, Angelo Hyder, consider stopping the bout prior to the final round.

Moloney insisted he was good to go but, unfortunately, he was on his back a couple of minutes later, courtesy of a looping left hand, timed to perfection.

Take a look at the shot below:

It took several minutes before Moloney could be helped to his feet in a scary reminder of just how dangerous boxing can be.

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Andrew Moloney vs. Junto Nakatani results, highlights

Junto Nakatani def. Andrew Moloney via round 12 knockout

Round 12: That's it! Moloney was seconds away from reaching the final bell but Nakatani lands a bomb of a left hand to send Moloney to the canvas and he is not in a good way. Fortunately Moloney regains consciousness but it was an absolutely savage shot.

Round 11: Moloney down again! The Aussie finds himself on the end of a long straight left hand. Moloney is clearly rocked and takes a second to compose him before answering the count. Nakatani goes to work and lands some big shots but Moloney survives.

108-99 Nakatani

Round 10: The urgency is clearly there from Moloney but Nakatani is boxing well and avoiding the majority of the power shots. Moloney lands a left hook but Nakatani is tough and takes it well. The Aussie needs a knockout.

98-91 Nakatani

Round 9: Moloney gets a bit busier in that round but Nakatani lands some solid shots in the exchanges. Moloney now feeling the pace of the fight in his legs and lungs.

88-82 Nakatani

Round 8: Great comeback round for Nakatani who gets the fight back to his range, landing long shots on Moloney who isn't able to mount much significant offence.

78-73 Nakatani

Round 7: A close round with plenty of action in a fight which is getting very interesting. The pair even share a little staredown as the bell sounds. We give it to Moloney who lands plenty of body shots and few hooks upstairs. Nakatani's punches definitely don't have the same pop now but he's still dangerous.

68-64 Nakatani

Round 6: Moloney gets on the board on our card with some high-pressure boxing. It appears Nakatani is fatiguing slightly as Moloney has a little bit of success during several exchanges.

59-54 Nakatani

Round 5: Nakatani finds more joy with the uppercuts but some of the sting appears to have gone out of his punches. Moloney finishes the round strongly with a flurry but Nakatani lands a strong right on the bell. 

50-44 Nakatani

Round 4: Moloney's best round of the fight so far but he's not able to land anything significant. Nakatani doing a good job at keeping him at bay.

40-35 Nakatani

Round 3: An accidental head clash causes a nasty cut just above Nakatani's nose but the action continues. Nakatani's punching at range is so crisp, landing right uppercuts and straight lefts as the Aussie looks to get to the inside. Moloney still got plenty of fight left in him but needs to shift the momentum.

30-26 Nakatani

Round 2: Moloney goes down! Nakatani lands two left uppercuts and a right to send the Aussie to the canvas but he's up quickly as Nakatani pours on the pressure. The southpaw going to the body successfully as well. Moloney in big trouble early on but he comes back with some nice body work of his own.

20-17 Nakatani

Round 1: Interesting opening round to the world title bout, with Moloney looking to close the distance as Nakatani's reach advantage makes things difficult. Nakatani lands a couple of straight lefts but nothing too significant. Moloney looking to get busy on the inside.

SN unofficial scorecard: 10-9 Nakatani

10:45am: Moloney and Nakatani are up next! Walkouts moments away.

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Emiliano Vargas def. Rafael Jasso via round two KO; lightweight

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Abdullah Mason def. Desmond Lyons via round six TKO; lightweight

Amari Jones def. Pachino Hill via round six TKO; middleweight

What time is Andrew Moloney vs. Junto Nakatani?

Moloney (25-2) and Nakatani (24-0) are set to clash on the undercard of the undisputed lightweight title bout between Devin Haney and Vasiliy Lomachenko in Las Vegas on May 20 (May 21 in Australia).

The main pay-per-view portion of the event is due to begin at 5pm local time/8pm ET, making it 10am AEST.

Moloney and Nakatani are currently scheduled as the second fight on the undercard, following Nico Ali Walsh, the grandson of Mohammad Ali.

Expect Moloney and Nakatani to be in action around 10:45am AEST.

MORE: A hospital wait and cold chicken: Jason Moloney's world title celebrations

How to watch Andrew Moloney vs. Junto Nakatani?

Moloney vs. Nakatani will appear as part of the pay-per-view broadcast for Haney vs. Lomachenko.

Fans wanting to tune in live in Australia can purchase the card through Foxtel's Main Event for $59.95.

Andrew Moloney vs. Junto Nakatani live stream

Aussie fans will also have the option to stream the fights live.

Kayo subscribers can purchase the event and tune in through the app for an additional payment of $59.95.

Purchase the fight on Kayo here.

Andrew Moloney vs. Junto Nakatani betting odds

Australia's Moloney is currently a $4 underdog with bookmaker Palmerbet.

The undefeated Nakatani is considered a $1.28 favourite to win the title.

Get knockout value on boxing with Palmerbet

Devin Haney vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko fight card

Main card

  • Devin Haney vs. Vasiliy Lomachenko, 12 rounds for the undisputed lightweight title
  • Oscar Valdez vs. Adam Lopez, 10 rounds at super-featherweight
  • Raymond Muratalla vs. Jeremiah Nakathila, 10 rounds at lightweight

Undercard

  • Andrew Moloney vs. Junto Nakatani, 12 rounds for the WBO super-flyweight title
  • Nico Ali Walsh vs. Danny Rosenberger, 8 rounds at middleweight

Prelims

  • Emiliano Vargas vs. Rafael Jasso, 4 rounds at lightweight
  • Abdullah Mason vs. Desmond Lyons, 6 rounds at lightweight
  • Floyd Diaz vs. Luis Fernando Saavedra, 8 rounds at super-bantamweight
  • Amari Jones vs. Pachino Hill, 6 rounds at middleweight

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.