Nakatani and Olascuaga Make It Two For Rudy Hernandez

Rudy Hernandez came out as the biggest winner in Tokyo Saturday morning, adding another world champion to his Los Angeles boxing stable and going two for two wins with champions Junto Nakatani and Anthony Olascuaga.

Junto Nakatani made quick work of Vincent Astrolabio. Next: the Inoue brothers. Photo: Manabu Takahashi

No real surprise when WBC World Bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani of Japan (28-0, 21 KOs) knocked out Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio  (19-5, 14 KOs) to successfully defend his title. The first-round destruction from a vicious body shot may have caught a few fans away from their seats. Nakatani circled Astrolabio with purpose, using his significant reach advantage to stay out of range and test Astrolabio with snapping left jabs.

Astrolobio wasn’t offering much other than a high guard. It was just the ticket for Nakatani to land the body shot below. Astrolabio fell to his knees in obvious pain. He initially beat the count by American referee Thomas Taylor, who asked Astrolabio, “Are you OK?” The answer was no. Astrolabio dropped back down to his knees, and Taylor stopped the fight at 40 seconds of the round.

“Thank you so much, everyone,” said Nakatani. “I thought this was going to be a long fight, but luckily I got the punch and I’m victorious,” Nakatani said he knew the punch would be the one.

Nakatani Wants Inoue Brothers Next

Nakatani laughed as he apologized to the fans for the fight ending early. He made his plans clear. First, he wants a unification fight with current WBA World Bantamweight champion Takuma Inoue, ranked second right behind Nakatani. He then has designs on moving up and taking on his brother, unified super bantamweight champion Naoya “The Monster” Inoue.

“I will be stronger. I’ll get ready. I will take one step at a time. I know the Monster is waiting. Let’s see what happens, and please root for me,” added Nakatani.

But there’s also American Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez in the division, and it’s a fight fans would love to see.

Anthony Olascuaga Brings First Title Home To LA

Anthony Olasguaga becomes a world champion in his eighth pro fight.

Junto Nakatani said he was more nervous about his friend Anthony Olascuaga but didn’t need to worry. Olascuaga (7-1, 5 KOs) won his first world title with a third-round knockout near the end of the third round over Riku Kano of Japan (22-5-2, 11 KOs) to win the vacant WBO World Flyweight title.

Olascuaga and Kano traded shots with the American touching Kano to the Body. It was the ideal setup, allowing Olascuaga to land a devastating uppercut he and trainer Hernandez call a “shovel uppercut.”

The 25-year-old bounced back from a loss to Kenshiro Taraji to hear the magic words, “And the new!” from announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr.

After Nakatani’s win, Olascuaga joined him in the ring, and the two friends celebrated together. “We had a perfect night today. I’m very happy with both our wins,” said Olascuaga.

Junto Nakatani and Anthony Olascuaga celebrate their victories on Saturday. Photo: Finito Yamaguchi

“I was so nervous for Olasguaga’s title shot, but I’m so relieved and I’m so glad,” said the Japanese champion. “I’m so happy that I’m victorious, but this isn’t the end. We have a future. We have somebody in front of us. Let’s see what we can do together.”

Rudy Hernandez must now be considered a serious 2023 Trainer of the Year candidate. He has steered Nakatani to three world titles and now has his first title for Olascuaga. Hernandez is among the most well-liked men in boxing. He is the brother and trainer of the late world champion Genaro Hernandez.

Tenshin Nasukawa Scores Knockout Victory

Tenshin Nasukawa is starting to develop his boxing skills after a successful mixed martial arts career. Tenshin Nasukawa celebrates his fourth boxing win with his fans. Photo: Manabu Takahashi

Popular former kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa (4-0, 2 KOs) delivered a flashy third-round knockout win over Jonathan Rodriguez of Puerto Rico (17-3-1, 7 KOs) in a scheduled ten-round bantamweight fight.

Nasukawa, who was 44-0 as a kickboxer, delivered a combination of vicious power punches ending in a hook to the head to drop and stop Rodriguez at 1:49 of the third round. He was ahead 20-18 on all three scorecards at the end of the fight.

Tenshin Nasukawa celebrates his fourth boxing win with his fans. Photo: Naoki Fukuda

Nasukawa thanked Rodriguez for taking the fight. Speaking to the fans, Nasukawwa told them, “I can show you my progress. This isn’t my peak yet. I hope everyone thinks I have the championship caliber to challenge the four champions. I need to go step by step to get the championship title shot.

“I know every single person who is watching this fight is fighting every day behind the scenes for something important. I work hard behind the scenes to show you this flashy fight,” said Nasukawa.

Winning Debut for Issei Aramoto

In the opening bout seen in the U.S. on ESPN Plus, super middleweight Issei Aramoto of Japan (1-0, 1 KO) won his professional debut against Mongontsooj Nandinerdene of Mongolia (2-2-1, 2 KOs) with a sixth-round knockout win.