Just moments ago we saw the end of a Japanese show from the Kokugikan, which was aired around the world and featured some of the most notable names in Japanese boxing.
The show kicked off with 12 time amateur champion
Issei Aramoto (1-0, 1) [荒本一成] making his professional debut, as he took on Mongolian fighter
Mongontsooj Nandinerdene (2-2-1, 2) [Менгенцоож Нандин Эрдене]. From the off it was clear that hasn’t come to just make up the numbers as he landed some big right hands, but Aramoto never seemed phased as he applied calculated pressure, behind a high guard, and landed his own heavy shots, including some really nice body shots. It was clear, within a minute, that Nandinerdene had something about him, but was also the less physically imposing fighter and had to rely on more than physicality. He did that at times with good clean shots when backed onto the ropes and some good shots was he was on his toes, but always struggled to get Aramoto’s respect. As we went into round 2 it was clear that Aramoto wasn’t wanting to change anything and was happy to continue a high pressure style, trying to grind down the Mongolian, who was hurt by a body shot and an uppercut. Nandinerdene managed to catch a break of sorts when the referee gave him to recover from a low blow, and following that Nandinerdene did manage to have some success, though was really punished towards the end of the round, as Nandinerdene took big shots to head and body.
Nandinerdene started round 3 fast and landed a series of slaps midway through the round that caught the eye but didn’t do any real damage as Aramoto was starting to be shown a few tricks of the trade by a man trying to frustrate him. As the round progressed Nandinerdene landed some nasty right hands and managed to create the space he had been lacking in the previous round, for what was a clear round for Nandinerdene. In round 4 Aramoto finally had some major success as he landed a left hook that rocked Nandinerdene to his core. The Mongolian showed his toughness and experience, as he held on and tried to clear his head, though Aramoto continued to press and landed some spiteful shots as Nandinerdene began to look like a man trying to survive. Nandinerdene tried to re-establish himself in round 5, with a busy output up close, and had a good start to the round, but was caught by several body shots, before taking one low and dropping to the canvas in agony. He was given time to recover from the low blow and afterwards he was hurt again from some big left hooks up top as Aramoto’s power showed again.
Given how close this was after 5 rounds it seemed clear this was close, and round 6 saw Aramoto start faster than he had in the earlier rounds. Nandinerdene tried to fight back, but a left hook from Aramoto right on the chin as Nandinerdene throw a combination sent the Mongolian tumbling face first, and forced the referee to wave off the bout
Despite the win Aramoto seems like someone with a lot of work to do. He wasn’t in with a typical 2-1-1 fighter, given Nandinerdene had just fought for the Korean national title and came close to winning it, but he was also looking somewhat limited. Aramoto trudged forward, he was rigid at times, he had lovely body shots, but didn’t really use his jab properly and had very limited success up top. His control of range wasn’t there, often getting too close for his best shots, and not establishing the range with his jab. It’s fair to suggest there was nerves, and very high expectations on him, but we did expect to see some more developed skills from such a successful amateur. It might be unfair, but in many ways Aramoto looked like a more limited version of former world champion Ryota Murata, with a similar, yet more basic, style. He’ll know he needs to work on a lot, and his team at Teiken will surely take him back in the gym and get him to focus on jabs, going up top and establishing control of range. Despite his struggles this bout, and 5 rounds against someone like Nandinerdene, will do more good than harm for Aramoto, and this was much better than an easy blow out win.
The first of the two world title fights on the card saw a new WBO Flyweight champion being crowned as we saw exciting American fighter Anthony Olascuaga (7-1, 5) stop Japan’s Riku Kano (22-5-2, 11) [加納陸] in round 3. From the off this was high tempo from both, and whilst Kano did land one or two shots early it was the speed of Olascuaga that really dominated the round. The American easily out landed Kano, and also landed the better, more hurtful, accurate and more eye catching shots, including a number of really good left hooks that seemed to buzz Kano towards the end of the round. In round 2 Kano tried to turn things around, and did get more chances to fight at his range, though was still unable to land enough to get Olascuaga respect. It was another round for Olascuaga, but was more competitive than the first had been and it seemed like Kano was starting to find some success with his counters, though was still being made to look second best.In round 3 was saw more exciting action as Olascuaga press and went to the body really well, with Kano being forced to create more space. It was clear that Kano had felt the power of Olascuaga though he wasn’t just folding, and did have some success as the round went on. That was until about 20 seconds from the end of the round when a uppercut from Olascuaga landed on the point of Kano’s chin, sending him down hard for the count. For Olascuaga this was a great performance, and the third time he has fought in Japan, where he is building up something of a fan base. As for Kano he seemed out of his depth early on, and never managed to really show anything here to suggest he was world class. He had had success in rounds 2 and 3, but was still coming off second best to the very, very talented new champion.Despite having his fight canceled yesterday WBO Super Flyweight champion Kosei Tanaka (20-1, 11) [田中恒成], did take to the ring and spoke to the fans explaining that Mexican fighter Jonathan Rodriguez (25-2-1, 17) had apologized, said he’d done something shameful and Tanaka did pass on the message to fans. Tanaka also made it clear that he still had eyes on unification bouts, dropping the names of Fernando Daniel Martinez (17-0, 9) and Jesse Rodriguez (20-0, 13), as opponents he wanted to fight.The chief support bout saw former kick boxing icon Tenshin Nasukawa (4-0, 2) [那須川天心] take on Jonathan Rodriguez (17-3-1, 7). Nasukawa showed a lot of respect to Rodriguez early on, getting a look at what the visitor had to off, before landing a good left hand up top, and later one to the body. It was clear Nasukawa had a huge edge in speed and Rodriguez didn’t seem sure what to do with Nasukawa, who’s hands and feet were too quick for him. Round 2 again saw Nasukawa waiting for Rodriguez to do something so he could counter, but Rodriguez was giving almost nothing. As the round went on Nasukawa continued to land single shots, to both the head and body, including a huge left hand late in the round that stunned Rodriguez. Nasukawa jumped on him, seeing he was hurt, but the bell saved Rodriguez who was clearly in trouble.Rodriguez seemed to have recovered by the start of round 3, but his timid approach to the opening two rounds continued here, as he continued to look very risk averse. Midway through the round however another left hand from Nasukawa rocked his man, and a follow up combination sent Rodriguez down. Rodriguez beat the count, and looked fine, but the referee waved off the bout, perhaps more an acceptance of Rodriguez not looking like he was trying to win, rather than him being too badly hurt.Although Rodriguez wasn’t there to win, this was still the best performance from Tenshin, who looked genuinely spiteful here. He still had the swag, and the speed we’ve seen from him since he was a kickboxer, but his punches also seemed to have a real bit of power on them, and he seemed to be fighting with the intention of hurting Rodriguez when he threw shots. Sadly though Rodriguez really didn’t try to do anything, and seemed to make up the numbers. Fingers crossed next time out Tenshin will face a hungry Filipino or Mexican coming to win, rather than someone who was beaten before a punch was thrown.The main event saw WBC Bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani (28-0, 21) [中谷 潤人] make his first defense, as he faced off with mandatory challenger Vincent Astrolabio (19-5, 14).The fight saw Nakatani look to create space using his height and reach, whilst Astrolabio was happy to come forward, even if he was forced to take a shot or two as a result, including a good left hand from Nakatani in the first minute. Given the power Astrolabio has, and the perceived danger he carried, it was clear from Nakatani that he wasn’t wanting to take unneeded risks, and instead picked his spots carefully. With about 40 seconds left in the round Nakatani landed 2 jabs up top before finding the perfect place for a straight left to the midsection, dropping Astrolabio for the count with about 30 seconds left.With the win Nakatani retains his title and easily deals with a dangerous mandatory, giving him his first stoppage loss, and will begin to look towards unifying titles, potentially with IBF champion Ryosuke Nishida (9-0, 1) [西田凌佑], who was in the crowd and doesn’t have a mandatory due, like the other two champions
