Junto Nakatani derailed Giemel Magramo’s championship aspirations as the Japanese slugger scored a rousing stoppage victory over the Filipino pugilist to capture the WBO Flyweight belt, Friday evening at the historic Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
Magramo was eyeing to become the 44th Filipino to capture a boxing world title, but Nakatani came to spoil the party as he overwhelmed the 26-year-old Parañaque City native with incessant power punches from bell to bell.
From the get-go, Nakatani made Magramo feel the snap in his punches, wobbling the Elorde Boxing representative with his straight left near the last minute of the opening bell.
Magramo’s misery persisted in the second stanza, where Nakatani started hammering the midsection with crisp shovel hooks while waiting for a loophole to pound his heavy left hand.
Despite having both the size and reach advantage, Nakatani changed his approach in the third frame as he engaged in phone-booth exchanges with Magramo. The Pinoy boxer capitalized on the opportunity, landing a couple of body shots.
However, that didn’t faze the Japanese as he fearlessly traded leather with the Filipino in close quarters until the sixth round.
It was in the seventh round when Nakatani created separation once again, utilizing his long arms for a few inches of distance before teeing off his strong left fist that had Magramo reeling.
In the eighth round, Magramo appeared to be ripe for the picking as Nakatani sent him to the canvas with a right hook and then a follow-up left uppercut.
Magramo managed to get back to his feet before the count of ten, but referee Nobuto Ikehara decided that the Filipino had seen enough and called a halt to the contest.
With the one-sided win over Magramo, Nakatani kept his unblemished record intact. His slate now stands at 21-0 with 16 knockouts.
On the other hand, Magramo dropped to 24-2 and tasted his first loss in nearly four years.
