Japanese · Naha, Japan · Born 2 January 1998Junto Nakatani won world titles in three weight classes with a spectacular knockout streak before losing his undefeated record to Naoya Inoue in May 2026.
Junto Nakatani was born on 2 January 1998 in Inabe, Mie Prefecture, Japan, and was enrolled in a karate school by his parents in third grade after they grew concerned he was spending too much time playing video games. He transitioned to boxing shortly afterward, finding greater success competing across the sport's various weight divisions than he had in karate. Nakatani won the Japanese under-15 national championships as an amateur, compiling a record of 14 wins and 2 losses, before turning professional at 17 in 2015. He made his professional debut with a first-round technical knockout and quickly rose through the flyweight rankings. Nakatani, nicknamed "Big Bang" for his explosive southpaw power, has become one of the most dominant fighters in Japanese boxing history, winning world titles across four different weight divisions from flyweight up to super bantamweight, a rare feat of both skill and disciplined weight management. Nakatani has continued to add to his legacy as one of the sport's most avoided pound-for-pound fighters, renowned for a combination of technical precision, southpaw craft, and genuine one-punch knockout power that has made him must-watch television in Japan and a growing international attraction.
Three-division world champion, undefeated for a decade until losing to Naoya Inoue
How They Played
Aggressive southpaw with devastating knockout power and relentless pressure
Lasting Impact
Rising star of Japanese boxing with potential to become all-time great
Career Honours
- The Ring/ESPN/CBS Sports Knockout of the Year 2023
Japanese Athletes