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Junto Nakatani conquer the three weight divisions
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Junto Nakatani will stop at nothing to enhance his already-growing legacy. First, he must get past mandatory challengers. The WBC bantamweight champion defends his title against Vincent Astrolabio.

Owner of the 2023 Knockout of the Year against Andrew Moloney to win WBO super flyweight gold, Nakatani is a three-division champion. His last fight was a TKO win in February against Alexandro Santiago to win WBC gold. With 20 wins via knockout, the 26-year-old has entered pound-for-pound conversations

The Japanese star is ready to unify the 118-pound division. After that? He looks to hold more gold and compete in other top-tier fights. 

“I’m more greedy, more hungry. I need more. I’m building up my boxing career. It’s very cool right now, but I want more. I feel hungry, I want more experience, more glory. Become a world champion but then more, like pound-for-pound (recognition),” Nakatani told Boxing News.

MORE: Does Inoue need to fight on US soil?

Astrolabio failed to capture the WBO bantamweight title against Jason Moloney in May 2023 but rebounded a few months later against Navapon Khaikanha. The 27-year-old from the Philippines has 14 wins via knockout.

Nakatani and Astrolabi fight in Japan, inside Ryogoku Kokugikan, or Sumo Hall. What is the time difference between Japan and the U.S.? Here’s when the event should start and when the main event fighters should walk to the ring.

What time is Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio in Japan?

  • Date: Saturday, July 20 
  • Time: 5 p.m. JST | 4 a.m. ET | 1 a.m. PT
  • Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan — Tokyo

The Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio fight card airs at 5 p.m. local time, or 4 a.m. ET. The main event fighters should make their way to the ring around 8 p.m. local time, or 7 a.m. ET, depending on how long the undercard fights last.

How to watch Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio

Fight fans in the U.S. can watch Nakatani vs. Astrolabio on ESPN+. You can subscribe to ESPN+ for $10.99 on a monthly subscription and $109.99 on an annual subscription.

WATCH: Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio, exclusively on ESPN+

Junto Nakatani vs. Vincent Astrolabio fight card

  • Junto Nakatani (c) vs. Vincent Astrolabio for the WBC bantamweight title
  • Riku Kano vs. Anthony Olascuaga for the WBO flyweight title
  • Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Jonathan Rodriguez
  • Issei Aramoto vs. Mongontsooj Nandinerdene

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Author(s)
Daniel Yanofsky Photo

Daniel Yanofsky is the Combat Sports Editor for The Sporting News since late 2021. Prior to working for TSN, Daniel provided insight on combat sports for Fightful, FIGHT SPORTS, and Wrestling Inc. A proud Ithaca College alum, when he isn’t working on his golf game, Daniel is advocating for three-minute rounds in women's boxing.

You can follow him on Twitter via @DanYanofsky.