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Junto Nakatani vs. Sebastian Hernandez Keys to Victory: Breaking down tactics of each fighter
Junto Nakatani senses a mega fight with Naoya ‘The Monster’ Inoue is within reach.
It makes a convincing showing against Sebastian Hernandez at Ring V in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, all the more crucial later today. The fight serves as chief support to Inoue taking on Alan Picasso in the main event.
Today marks Nakatani’s first bout at super bantamweight since forcing Ryosuke Nishida to retire following the sixth round of their June clash. That fight had Nakatani (31-0, 24 KOs) becoming a unified bantamweight world champion. He will be up against a fellow unbeaten fighter and knockout artist in Hernandez (20-0, 18 KOs) who last produced a unanimous decision win over Azat Hovhannisyan in May. Prior to that, he had 17 straight knockout victories.
Will Nakatani continue to hone in on his dream bout with ‘The Monster’ by delivering yet another statement victory? Or will Hernandez prove too pesky, unceremoniously welcoming the Japanese fighter up to super bantamweight with a rude awakening? With the stakes high, DAZN News analyzes the Keys to Victory for both boxers.
Junto Nakatani’s Keys to Victory
Unload the body-head combinations
Watch Junto Nakatani operate and his ability to unleash body-head combinations in one sequence and switch it up to head-body combos in another is excellent.
Pulling off these types of combinations against a forward-fighting force like Sebastian Hernandez can go ways toward scoring points, banking rounds and frustrating the Mexican boxer greatly.
Dig with uppercuts
Nakatani tends to split even opponents’ disciplined guards with his uppercuts.
That bodes well for the Japanese fighter considering Hernandez touts a tight defense, making it all the more vital for Nakatani to try his chances with uppercuts — slicing shots he’s able to throw effectively on the front or back foot.
Jab and launch the overhand left
Though he is giving up an inch in height, Nakatani will have 3½ inches of reach advantage over Hernandez.
Given Hernandez’ penchant for stalking forward, Nakatani would be aided by a simple crisp jab or laser left hand to keep the Mexican warrior at bay. But ‘Big Bang’ might really get some boom to his results if he follows a jab by launching an overhand left.
The shot could be a major weapon for Nakatani if he unloads it with timing.
Sebastian Hernandez’ Keys to Victory
Fight forward with a prodding jab
Sebastian Hernandez will eat a jab to fight forward and prod away with his own stick.
It is a menacing prospect for Junto Nakatani who might need to use some movement to adjust.
Hernandez, though, must continue to press and prod away with the jab to get closer to Nakatani.
Smother Nakatani on the inside
Once Hernandez has the jab working in close proximity, he ought to continue smothering Nakatani with pressure via inside work.
Hernandez pieces together combinations in the pocket well — something Nakatani is going to have to account for, possibly with the uppercuts to buy some more ring real estate between them.
Turn the volume up
Nakatani is going to drive up a high punch count and Hernandez cannot afford to simply get drowned out.
He will need to let his hands go to fully make it difficult on judges and sway scorecards.
While smothering inside will grant Hernandez the muddied fight he wants, he must still produce a high volume of punches to put himself in best position for the upset.
Watch Ring V Inoue vs. Picasso on DAZN PPV
Naoya Inoue and Alan Picasso headline the Ring V fight night, exclusively on DAZN PPV this Saturday, December 27.
Purchase as a one-off PPV, or get included at no extra cost with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription, which includes minimum of 12 PPV events per year, plus another 185 fight nights. Monthly and annual options available.
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