Junto Nakatani vs David Cuellar fight preview and breakdown
WBC Special Preview: Junto Nakatani vs David Cuellar
Fighter of Love vs The General by James Blears
Formidable WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani defends his Green and Gold Belt against hard hitting David ‘’The General’’ Cuellar on February 24th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
This fight involves ultra-high stakes for several reasons. The first is that David from Mexico, who's fighting away from home for the first time, is determined to go all out and topple a Goliath. His record of 28-0, 18KO demonstrates demolition derby destructive abilities.
Notably, that in his own right and often with his own potent right, he can indeed Sunday Punch and he says he's keen to test his power on Junto, who himself is renowned for his devastating poleaxing left hand, which so often applies the finishing touch and punctuation mark, executing the job with ruthless aplomb. Junto`s impressive record is 29-0, 22KO.
Further down the line this year, there are plans percolating and brewing for the heady, shaken not stirred mix of Junto vs Undisputed Super-bantamweight champion and compatriot Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue 29-0, 26 KO. That will be the biggest fight between Japanese boxers in at least half a century. Both are still undefeated. One has conquered four weight divisions, the other three. It should be dubbed 'The Seven Samurai'.
Both have to stay in tip-top, battle-hardened readiness for this blockbuster classic. Naoya was to have fought Sam Goodman, who had to pull out, after twice suffering cuts during sparring.
He was replaced at short notice by Korean fighter Ye Joon Kim, who Naoya initially studied, but then stopped in four torrid rounds. There is talk of Naoya setting himself a sterner more exacting test in the coming months by fighting WBC super-bantamweight Silver Champion Alan David Picasso 31-0-1, 17 KO. Top Rank is hoping and planning to entice The Monster to leave his 'Lair' venture out of his comfort zone and come to the Las Vegas.
To punch and stamp his ticket to the Big Time, Nakatani must overcome 'The General' who is ambitious to be promoted to Field Marshall. Junto stands five feet eight inches tall. He towers over many of his opponents. This won`t be the case with hard-case David, who is exactly the same height. Junto`s reach is sixty- eight and a half inches. David`s wingspan is but one inch less.
Signed to Top Rank, Junto Nakatani has already sent a message of intent, and the writing is on the wall. It declares; "This year I want to fight in a way that makes me known around the World. And while studying footage of my opponent, I want to make my timing more precise."
Words of a Maestro and a perfectionist. Anyone who saw him drop Andrew Moloney… Jason's twin brother in the second, eleventh and then goodnight sweet prince in the twelfth round, or witnessed the drilling of Vincent Astrolabio in just one from a sinking body shot, or the overwhelming of Petch Sor Chitpattana via a sixth round TKO, would tend to say Junto's timing is already close to spot on.
Just as David must be wary and watch out for that long and often as not devastating straight left, which seemingly comes from nowhere, but is also chillingly effectively or the oft repeated windmill uppercut, Nakatani must be aware of the incoming right which is might, emanating from Dave. It's made pundits rave.
Nakatani has won world titles at flyweight, super-flyweight and he is now bantamweight supremo. Coach Rudy Hernandez, who trained brother Genaro, believes Junto is the best boxer he's ever nurtured. Because of his large frame, which is currently still lanky, he can go up at least several more weight divisions, while retaining his potent power.
David Cuellar, who is from Queretaro, will now be a road warrior for the first time in his career. He will need to quickly shake off jetlag, accustom and acclimatise himself. Visiting fighters always receive a cordial, respectful welcome in Japan. Yet the codicil is that they are rooting for their compatriot, who will enjoy all the home comforts in spite of the fact that he's currently training in the Los Angeles area with coach Rudy.
Cuellar's talent and potential were spotted early. He was chosen to be part of the very select Ring Telmex-Telcel scholarship, which is a rocking cradle for future world champions. He justified that confidence by winning the vacant WBC Silver Youth super-flyweight title stopping Karem Arce in nine rugged rounds.
He also defeated former world champion Moises Fuentes, who tragically died of his injuries. David won the WBC International super-flyweight title with a fourth round KO over Gilberto Pedroza and stopped Luis Concepcion via TKO in eight. He retains his chilling power at any point of a fight and this thus makes him dangerous throughout.
David's nickname is 'The General' and second surname is Contreras. Translated into English it means contrary.
Junto's nickname is 'Ai No Kenshi / Fighter of Love'.
Cuellar is not the bookies' favourite in this one. If he wins, he'd be catapulted into overnight superstardom.
Junto Nakatani has much to look forward to later this year, but obviously isn't overlooking an opponent who possesses KO power in either hand. A slip-up at this stage for Junto, would prove extremely, exceedingly, extravagantly and extensively expensive. Of that… he's only too well aware.
Tale of the Tape
JUNTO NAKATANI
WBC Bantamweight World Champion
Age: 27
DOB: January 2, 1998
Residence: Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan
Birthplace: Inabe-Gun, Toin Cho, Mie, Japan
Record: 29-0, 22 KOs
Total rounds: 143
World championship fights: 8-0, 7 KOs
Height: 5’7” – 170cm
Reach: 67” – 170cm
Stance: Left-handed
Promoter: Akihiko Honda
Manager: Takeshi Murano
Trainer: Rudy Hernandez
DAVID “El General” CUELLAR
Ranked WBC #6 at Bantamweight
Age: 23
Date of birth: October 26, 2001
Residence: Queretaro, Queretaro, Mexico
Birthplace: Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Record: 28-0, 18 KOs
Total rounds: 135
Height: 5’8.5” – 174cm
Reach: 67.5” – 171cm
Stance: Right-handed
Promoter: Oswaldo Küchle
Manager: Juan Carlos Contreras
Trainer: Jose “Chepo” Reynoso
WBC Top 10 Bantamweight Champions
1. Carlos Zarate (Mexico)
2. Eder Jofre (Brazil)
3. Ruben Olivares (Mexico)
4. Rafael Herrera (Mexico)
5. Veeraphol Nakhonluang (Thai)
6. Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (Japan)
7. Jungil Byun (Korea)
8. Yasuei Yakushiji (Japan)
9. Hozumi Hasegawa (Japan)
10. Shinsuke Yamanaka (Japan)
