Controversial points win at super bantamweight – Nakatani narrowly survives test against Hernandez ahead of Inoue spectacle.
Three-time world champion Junto Nakatani started his new weight class with a controversial points victory. The Japanese fighter won a unanimous decision against Mexican Sebastian Hernandez in Riyadh. The judges scored the 12-rounder 115-113, 115-113 and 118-110 in Nakatani’s favor. However, many observers at ringside and in front of the screens clearly saw the fight on Hernandez’s side – some even thought the scorecards were reversed.
The non-title fight served as a warm-up for the Naoya Inoue vs. David Picasso mega-event and was also intended to prepare the ground for an all-Japanese mega-duel between Nakatani and Inoue. But instead of a demonstration of power, Nakatani (32-0, 24 knockouts) experienced a nightmare evening. At the final bell, the usually explosive southpaw technician looked drawn and empty. Hernandez (20-1, 18 knockouts) ignored the script, marching tirelessly forward, letting both fists fly and putting Nakatani under constant pressure. Although the Japanese fighter started solidly, moved well on his feet and varied his punches in the first two rounds, the momentum clearly tipped in the Mexican’s favor as the fight wore on. “I’m very grateful for the chance to fight here in Saudi Arabia. It was a great fight,” said Nakatani after the fight. “He was a tough, strong opponent. It was an important lesson for me.”