Masayoshi Nakatani (中谷 正義, Nakatani Masayoshi, born March 8, 1989) is a Japanese professional boxer. He held the OPBF lightweight title between 2014 and 2019,[2] and won the WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title in 2020.[3]

Masayoshi Nakatani
Born (1989-03-08) March 8, 1989 (age 35)
Osaka, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 11.5 in (182 cm)[1]
Reach71 in (180 cm)[1]
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights23
Wins20
Wins by KO14
Losses3

Professional career

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Early career

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Nakatani fought the first 18 bouts of his professional career in his native Japan. During this time, he won the OPBF lightweight title in January 2014, and successfully defended it 11 times.[2]

Rise up the ranks

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Nakatani vs. López

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After compiling a perfect record of 18-0, Nakatani made his first appearance in the ring outside of Japan when he faced fellow undefeated contender Teófimo López on July 19, 2019 in Oxon Hill, Maryland in an eliminator for the IBF lightweight title. Nakatani lost a unanimous decision, with scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109.[4]

Nakatani vs. Verdejo

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On December 12, 2020 in Paradise, Nevada, Nakatani defeated Félix Verdejo by ninth-round technical knockout despite being down on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage to capture the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title. The bout was an exciting one, with both men exchanging two knockdowns apiece.[3] In his post-fight interview, Nakatani stated his desire to avenge his loss to Teófimo López, who had since become unified lightweight champion: “I fought Teófimo López before and I want to fight him again. That’s why I kept going tonight. I want to go for the knockout [in a rematch with López] like I did today."[5]

Nakatani vs. Lomachenko

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Nakatani returned to the ring on June 26, 2021 in Paradise, Nevada to face former three-division world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, with whom he shares a common loss to Teófimo López.[6] Nakatani was knocked down twice en route to a ninth-round technical knockout loss.[7]

Professional boxing record

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23 fights 20 wins 3 losses
By knockout 14 2
By decision 6 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
23 Loss 20–3 Shuichiro Yoshino KO 6 (12), 1:14 Nov 1, 2022 Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, Japan For WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title
22 Win 20–2 Harmonito Dela Torre KO 1 (10), 1:16 Jun 13, 2022 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
21 Loss 19–2 Vasiliy Lomachenko TKO 9 (12), 1:48 Jun 26, 2021 Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
20 Win 19–1 Félix Verdejo TKO 9 (10), 1:45 Dec 12, 2020 MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S. Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
19 Loss 18–1 Teófimo López UD 12 Jul 19, 2019 MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Hurricane Futa TKO 4 (12), 1:43 Dec 9, 2018 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
17 Win 17–0 Izuki Tomioka TKO 11 (12), 2:40 Jul 29, 2018 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
16 Win 16–0 Amphol Suriyo KO 6 (12), 1:45 Feb 24, 2018 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
15 Win 15–0 Ryan Sermona TKO 4 (12) Sep 3, 2017 Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
14 Win 14–0 Krai Setthaphon UD 12 Apr 9, 2017 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
13 Win 13–0 Allan Tanada TKO 7 (12), 1:35 Nov 11, 2016 Central Gym, Kobe, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
12 Win 12–0 Tosho Makoto Aoki TKO 1 (12), 1:19 Apr 17, 2016 Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
11 Win 11–0 Kazuya Murata RTD 5 (12), 3:00 Aug 28, 2015 Central Gym, Kobe, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
10 Win 10–0 Accel Sumiyoshi UD 12 Apr 5, 2015 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
9 Win 9–0 Futoshi Usami UD 12 Oct 28, 2014 Central Gym, Kobe, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
8 Win 8–0 Ricky Sismundo UD 12 May 7, 2014 Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan Retained OPBF lightweight title
7 Win 7–0 Yoshitaka Kato MD 12 Jan 11, 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won OPBF lightweight title
6 Win 6–0 Shuhei Tsuchiya KO 3 (8), 1:58 Jul 25, 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5 Win 5–0 Weerayuth Patangwesang KO 2 (8), 2:16 Apr 26, 2013 Central Gym, Kobe, Japan
4 Win 4–0 Ronnel Esparas KO 1 (8), 2:45 Aug 12, 2012 Central Gym, Kobe, Japan
3 Win 3–0 Roel Laguna TKO 5 (6), 1:32 Mar 20, 2012 IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan
2 Win 2–0 Tetsuto Sebiyo Tonomura UD 6 Oct 2, 2011 IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan
1 Win 1–0 Katsuhisa Shiokawa TKO 4 (4), 1:35 Jun 12, 2011 IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan

References

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  1. ^ a b Top Rank Tale of the Tape prior to the Lomachenko fight
  2. ^ a b "Masayoshi Nakatani vacates OPBF title". ASIAN BOXING.
  3. ^ a b "WBO | Masayoshi Nakatani stops Felix Verdejo in co-feature to win the WBO Inter-Continental Title - WBO". www.wboboxing.com. 13 December 2020. Retrieved 2021-05-14.
  4. ^ "Lopez beats Nakatani in first bout to go distance". ESPN.com. July 20, 2019.
  5. ^ "masayoshi-nakatani-gets-off-canvas-to-stop-felix-verdejo-in-lightweight-thriller". The Ring Magazine. Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  6. ^ "Vasiliy Lomachenko makes ring return against Masayoshi Nakatani on June 26". The Ring. 2021-04-25. Retrieved 2021-06-11.
  7. ^ "Vasiliy Lomachenko dazzles in return, stops Masayoshi Nakatani in ninth round | DAZN News US". DAZN. 27 June 2021. Retrieved 2021-06-28.
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