Alexandro “Peque” Santiago vs Junto Nakatani fight preview, predictions, betting odds

Alex and Junto

By James Blears

WBC bantamweight champion Alexandro “Peque” Santiago has packed his bags and slung his gloves around them, in the tradition of a Road Warrior, embarking on a long trip to Tokyo, for the first defense of his title against hard hitting and undefeated local lad Junto Nakatani on February 24th.

Actually, undefeated southpaw Junto (26-0, 19 KO’s ) with a formidable 73.08 percent stoppage rate, was born in Inab-gun Mia, Japan, but the fans at the Kokugikan Arena , have taken him to their hearts . Alex will get a very decent, kind, warm and respectful welcome from the Japanese fans, who are knowledgeable about their boxing, sporting and love a good well-matched fight, but they will obviously be cheering on and rooting for their compatriot combatant.

Why has Alex (28-3-5, 14 KO’s) decided to take on such a tough, daunting and exacting first defense, far away from home in Tijuana? Well…he’s no doubt going to get well paid. He’s also convinced that aged twenty eight, which is almost two years older than the challenger, he has come of age and is fully matured as well as spicily seasoned. As the champion, you should take on the best available opponent. That’s what being the champion of the World, holding the precious Green and Gold Belt, is all about.

To win it, he fought one helluva fight against legend Nonito “Flash” Donaire to lift aloft the vacant WBC bantamweight crown, absorbing some ferocious, determined, and diverse early onslaughts, to then steady himself and thanks to marvelous and dedicated conditioning, plus ring smarts, prevail with his very own high class, crafted and crafty boxing, to deservedly win a UD down the stretch. Characteristically and marvelously the very first person to congratulate him was Nonito. This is what makes Boxing, so absolutely majestic.

Alex who debuted in December 2012, has been boxing as a pro for more a decade. He has earned his plaudits and garlands via a ruggedly worthy apprenticeship. His first championship opportunity came against Jerwin Ancajas for the IBF super flyweight belt and they fought to a spirited draw.

He went on a whirlwind tear following this, by winning his next eight fights, including six stoppage wins. He then lost a MD to the talented Gary Antonio Russell. One Judge saw it as a draw, while the other two scored it for Gary Antonio. Since then, four more victories including that excellent performance against Donaire.

For most of his career, Alex has fought as a bantamweight. He’s barrel chested and robust but only stands five feet two and a half inches tall, with a sixty-five and a half inches reach. By contrast, Junto is five inches taller. His reach is sixty-seven inches. Alex is no stranger to being the shorter man. To be effective he will have to fight at close range. Upward and onward for him.

It’s Junto’s first bout in this weight category. He’s already been a world champion in two others. He’s a quality opponent. His pro debut was in 2015. A significant early win was against Mashamichi Yabuki, who went on to defeat Kenshiro Teraji for the WBC light flyweight crown with a tenth rounds TKO, only to be blasted out via KO in three, during their return bout. It was a great performance, but by the time of the rematch, Kenshiro had fully shaken off the lingering effects of the covid virus.

Junto won the vacant WBO flyweight title in his twenty first pro fight, with an eighth round KO of Giemel Magramo followed by three successful defences, two of which came via TKO. Then Junto won the vacant WBO super flyweight title with a KO of Aussie Andrew Moloney. He dropped Andrew in rounds two, eleven and twelve to finish the job with punctuating panache. He then defeated tough as nails Argi Cortes via UD in his first and only defense, before moving on and up to… Alex.

Will he be able to successfully step up to this higher weight category and bring his natural punching power along with him? Alex may not be bigger, but ‘s heavier and naturally stronger than anyone Junto has faced thus far. Whereas Alex will need it to be toe to toe, to be effective, Junto might initially try to pick him off at long range. Hand speed is going to be an crucial factor, together with ring generalship.

It’s taken Alex quite some time to become a world champion. He achieved it on his second attempt. So he’s coming into to this bout determined to retain what’s currently his. Junto is fighting on his own homeland turf and this is a great opportunity, although it won’t be straightforward. He’s never lost a fight, while Alex who has a fifty percent KO percentage, has been defeated thrice with five draws. As the fight against vastly experienced Donaire clearly showed, he’s learned from everything along the way and benefited from it. He certainly rose to the occasion when required.

Before making this trek, he’s prepared well, which is just as well, because Junto is looking for the KO. An intriguing contest of skills and experience Vs proven punching power.