Alexandro Santiago vs Junto Nakatani: Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds

On Saturday morning, Top Rank will continue their streak of streaming fights from Japan as they host a WBC bantamweight title fight. The champion, Alexandro Santiago (28-3-5, 14 KOs), will face former two-division champion Junto Nakatani (26-0, 19 KOs). The card certainly caters to the hardcore fans who will wake up early on Saturday morning here in the States to watch fights from the lower weight classes.

Alexandro Santiago looks to solidify himself as a World Champion in Japan

It was a little under three years ago when Santiago lost a majority decision to Gary Antonio Russell in Las Vegas, NV. He would then earn three straight victories, which landed him the fight with Nonito Donaire in July. Although Santiago was a heavy underdog, according to oddsmakers, he pulled off a unanimous decision to earn the vacant WBC title and his fourth consecutive victory. Although he could have gone with a voluntary defense, he chose to travel to Japan to face one of the hottest Japanese fighters, not named Naoya Inoue, in a fight that will likely see him earn a career high payday.

Santiago will have his hands full on Saturday and must be on his A game. He will have to keep the fight close and shoot that left hook over Nakatani’s right jab. He cannot stay on the outside as Nakatani will stick the right jab out all night, not allowing him to come inside. Santiago must be first and not allow Nakatani to get into a rhythm. His punch output must also be high since he will be the visitor there in Japan and could lose on a close scorecard. If Santiago can smother Nakatani and make it rough, he has a shot at leaving Japan with his title.

Junto Nakatani is just beginning to peak, and that’s scary

It’s been a strong three years for Nakatani as he captured the WBO flyweight title and the WBO super flyweight one. He’s faced fighters like Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta, Andrew Moloney, and Argi Cortes, with all those victories looking easier than they were supposed to be. Nakatani is just beginning to peak, and he is the second-best Japanese fighter next to Inoue, but that can change if he captures a title in a third division on Saturday.

There is no need to change things as if they’re not broken, don’t fix them. Keeping that way of thinking, Nakatani has to establish that distance early and pump the right jab, which sets up the body attack. Santiago won’t be able to withstand constant punishment to the body and will eventually break down later in the fight.

Alexandro Santiago vs Junto Nakatani Prediction

Although Santiago is the champ, Nakatani is a well-disciplined fighter who is on the ascend. Look for Nakatani to overwhelm Santiago with his right jab and left hook to the body combination which leads to a late stoppage.

Alexandro Santiago vs Junto Nakatani Betting Odds

Per BetMGM, Junto Nakatani is the favorite at -700, and Alexandro Santiago is the underdog at +500.

Alexandro Santiago: TKO/KO +1200; Decision +900

Draw: +2000

Junto Nakatani: TKO/KO -120; Decision +160

Alexandro Santiago vs Junto Nakatani Date, Start Time

• Date: Saturday, February 24
• Start time: 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT
• Main event ringwalks (approx): 6:00 a.m. ET / 3:00 a.m. PT

These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights. 

What Channel/Stream is Alexandro Santiago vs Junto Nakatani ?

• U.S.: ESPN+
• UK:   TBA

Alexandro Santiago vs Junto Nakatani Fight Card 

• Alexandro Santiago vs. Junto Nakatani, 12 rounds, for Santiago’s WBC bantamweight title
• Takuma Inoue vs. Jerwin Ancajas, 12 rounds, for Inoue’s WBA bantamweight title
• Kosei Tanaka vs. Christian Bacasegua, 12 rounds, for vacant WBO junior bantamweight title
• Jonas Sultan vs. Riku Masuda, 8 rounds, bantamweights

Abraham Gonzalez

Abraham Gonzalez is the founder of FightsATW. His journalistic work has been published and used across several platforms to include online, network TV and promotional companies. He is an American Public University alumnus and a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA). Abraham was the Managing Editor for NYFights, Big Fight Weekend, contributed to FanSidedMMA and ProBoxTV.

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