In the Ariake Arena in his home of Japan, Junto Nakatani looks to add to his impressive 2023, which includes a knockout of the year contender. Nakatani puts his WBO super flyweight title on the line against Argi Cortes on September 18.
The fight airs on ESPN+ in the U.S. and is the co-main event under the light flyweight title fight between champion Kenshiro Teraji and Hekkie Budler.
Nakatani (25-0) turned pro in 2015. Primarily fighting in the famous Korakuen Hall to start his career, Nakatani won local gold before beating Giemel Magramo for the WBO flyweight title. In May 2023, he moved weight and won the WBO super flyweight title after viciously knocking out Andrew Moloney in the final round.
Turning pro at 19 in 2014, Cortes (25-3-2) has primarily fought in Mexico. He had a 23-fight unbeaten streak snapped in 2022 against Juan Francisco Estrada. Since then, the 28-year-old has gone on a two-fight win streak, beating Adolfo Gonzalez in his last bout in March.
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The Sporting News takes a look at the betting odds between the two fighters and predicts the outcome of the title fight:
Junto Nakatani vs. Argi Cortes betting odds
Per Bet MGM, Junto Nakatani is the -1200 favorite, while Argi Cortes is the +700 underdog.
Per Sports Interaction, Nakatani is the -1667 favorite, with Cortes the +900 underdog.
Betting trends for Junto Nakatani vs. Argi Cortes
Via Sports Interaction:
- Nakatani via KO/TKO: -154
- Nakatani via decision: +135
- Cortes via KO/TKO: +2200
- Cortes via decision: +1600
- Draw: +2200
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Junto Nakatani vs. Argi Cortes prediction, best bets
A southpaw, Nakatani imposes his will on his opponents, which could be a problem for Cortes.
In his infamous knockout of Andrew Moloney, the latter was more precise in his blows. Nakatani is known for landing damaging shots to the point of an opponent having nothing to defend themselves. Working the body and head of Moloney with uppercuts, all Nakatani needed was the right moment to strike, and he delivered.
When he first rose to the world scene at the super flyweight, Nakatani fought a game Francisco Rodriguez, using jabs and a long left to stop him in his tracks. Adjusting to Rodriguez's brawling style, Nakanai was robot-like, finding a clear path to victory.
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Cortes has ten wins via knockout and the biggest fight of his career was against Juan Francisco Estrada, who beat Cortes via unanimous decision. Though it was closer than expected, with Cortes giving Estrada trouble early on, Estrada recovered and brought Cortes down in the seventh. As time went on, Cortes struggled to maintain his groove.
Cortes last won a fight via knockout in 2021 and has primarily gone the distance against his opponents. He can work well around the ring, but with someone like Nakatani, who plays it close to the vest and lands brutal blows, can Cortes outlast him?
It would be a massive upset, but Nakatani’s skills and power should drop Cortes after halfway.
