Boxing Challenge:Nakatani closes out Nishida

     Junto Nakatani added the IBF bantamweight title to his previously owned WBC belt when the fight was stopped before the start of the seventh round, with Ryosuke Nishida's right eye closed.

Nishida didn't go down easily as he attacked Nakatabi throughout, and the fight was all-action for six rounds.

However, it was the heavier blows of Nakatani that controlled the contest, with Nishida's face showing damage as early as round three.

Nakatani could fight once more this year, perhaps against WBO champion Yoshiki Takei in another unification match. Still, the big fight is expected early next year against undisputed junior featherweight champion Naoya Inoue in what could be the biggest fight ever in Japanese boxing.

In Australia, Jai Opietaia knocked out Claudio Squeo with a left hook in the fifth round to retain his IBF cruiserweight title.

Squeo tried hard, but he looked half Opietaia's size, and the fight was a physical mismatch.

Opietaia hopes to meet WBA and WBO champion Gilberto Ramirez later this year.

Boxing Challenge

TRS: 89 Pts (4)

Ramon Malpica: 84 Pts (3)

Vince Samano: 38 Pts (5)