Masayoshi Nakatani Explained

Masayoshi Nakatani
Weight:
Height:5 ft 11 in[1]
Reach:71 in
Nationality:Japanese
Birth Date:8 March 1989
Birth Place:Osaka, Japan
Style:Orthodox
Total:23
Wins:20
Losses:3
Ko:14

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]

Professional career

Early career

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.

Rise up the ranks

Nakatani vs. López

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

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. 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

See main article: Vasiliy Lomachenko vs. Masayoshi Nakatani. 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

ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
23Loss20–3Shuichiro YoshinoKO6 (12), Nov 1, 2022
22Win20–2Harmonito Dela TorreKO1 (10), Jun 13, 2022
21Loss19–2Vasiliy LomachenkoTKO9 (12), Jun 26, 2021
20Win19–1Félix VerdejoTKO9 (10), Dec 12, 2020
19Loss18–1Teófimo LópezUD12Jul 19, 2019
18Win18–0Hurricane FutaTKO4 (12), Dec 9, 2018
17Win17–0Izuki TomiokaTKO11 (12), Jul 29, 2018
16Win16–0Amphol SuriyoKO6 (12), Feb 24, 2018
15Win15–0Ryan SermonaTKO4 (12)Sep 3, 2017
14Win14–0Krai SetthaphonUD12Apr 9, 2017
13Win13–0Allan TanadaTKO7 (12), Nov 11, 2016
12Win12–0Tosho Makoto AokiTKO1 (12), Apr 17, 2016
11Win11–0Kazuya Murata5 (12), Aug 28, 2015
10Win10–0Accel SumiyoshiUD12Apr 5, 2015
9Win9–0Futoshi UsamiUD12Oct 28, 2014
8Win8–0Ricky SismundoUD12May 7, 2014
7Win7–0Yoshitaka Kato12Jan 11, 2014
6Win6–0Shuhei TsuchiyaKO3 (8), Jul 25, 2013
5Win5–0Weerayuth PatangwesangKO2 (8), Apr 26, 2013
4Win4–0Ronnel Esparas1 (8), Aug 12, 2012
3Win3–0Roel LagunaTKO5 (6), Mar 20, 2012
2Win2–0Tetsuto Sebiyo Tonomura6Oct 2, 2011
1Win1–0Katsuhisa Shiokawa4 (4), Jun 12, 2011

Notes and References

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