A World Championship Triple Header is set for Saturday night, coming live from the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan in the form of Alexandro Santiago vs Junto Nakatani (WBC Bantamweight World Title), Takuma Inoue vs Jerwin Ancajas (WBA Bantamweight World Title) and Kosei Tanaka vs Christian Bacasegua Rangel (Vacant WBO Super Flyweight World Title). It’s great to see three World Titles being fought for on the same card, and a throwback to times gone by.
It feels like going back in time where we used to be treated to the smaller weight classes on the fantastic ‘Superfly‘ cards which were coming out of California, which were created by promoter Tom Loeffler and broadcast on HBO Boxing After Dark (with HBO now completely out of boxing all together). These great cards showcased the ‘smaller’ weight classes, with top names in boxing across the three fantastic cards. These included;
Superfly I (September 9, 2017, StubHub Centre in Carson, California)
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs Román González (WBC Super Flyweight World Title)
Naoya Inoue vs Antonio Nieves (WBO Super Flyweight World Title)
Juan Francisco Estrada vs Carlos Cuadras (Super Flyweight)
Superfly II (February 24, 2018, The Forum in Inglewood, California)
Srisaket Sor Rungvisai vs Juan Francisco Estrada (WBC & The Ring Super Flyweight World Titles)
Donnie Nietes vs Juan Carlos Reveco (IBF Flyweight World Title)
McWilliams Arroyo vs Carlos Cuadras (Super Flyweight)
Superfly III (September 8, 2018, The Forum in Inglewood, California)
Juan Francisco Estrada vs Felipe Orucuta (Super Flyweight)
Donnie Nietes vs Aston Palicte (Super Flyweight)
Kazuto Ioka vs McWilliams Arroyo (Super Flyweight)
The concept of the ‘Superfly’ fight nights is being emulated on Saturday Night, and it’s got me feeling all nostalgic with a warm fuzzy feeling. It’s class to see three World Title fights on the same card, where you just know you’re going to see something fairly spectacular. Surely? Three World Title fights where the best are fighting the best. What’s not to love? The reason I have banged on about the Superfly trilogy is simply because of how good they were, and we are seeing something similar on Saturday Night. Let’s delve into the three World Title Fights, starting at the top.
Alexandro Santiago vs Junto Nakatani is the main event of the night, and a great fight to top the card. Alexandro Santiago has been in high demand of late, with his two recent victories coming in the form of of a Technical Stoppage of Antonia Nieves back in October 2022 and then an outstanding points decision victory over seasoned professional Nonito Donaire for the WBC World Bantamweight Title in July 2023. Both Nieves & Donaire are outstanding fighters, and these victories really are a statement heading into Saturday night for Santiago.
Junto Nakatani is the current WBO Super Flyweight World Champion. However, as this is the weight-class below Bantamweight, this won’t be a Unification fight on Saturday night. However, two current World Champions facing off in different weight classes is always intriguing, and Nakatani comes into fight night with an undefeated record of 26-0, and holding the WBO Super Flyweight World Title since November 2020 and accumulated a stoppage victory over Andrew Moloney in the process back in May 2023.
Verdict
I am going for a shock here, with the smaller weight defeating the bigger weight and Junto Nakatani beating Alexandro Santiago via points. Nakatani is undefeated, active and will be chomping at the bit to become a two-weight world Champion.
Takuma Inoue vs Jerwin Ancajas is a fantastic chief support for this fight night, and something which is a real throwback in for the form of Jerwin Ancajas appearing on this card. Someone who is well known in the sport of boxing and well respected, this makes for a great fight as chief support.
Takuma Inoue has been the WBA Bantamweight World Champion since April 2023 with a fantastic points victory over the tough Liborio Solis. The younger brother of the ever outstanding (and possibly P4P #1) Naoya Inoue, there is clear pedigree in the World Champion.
We’ve all heard of Jerwin Ancajas, haven’t we? The 32 Year old held the IBF Super Flyweight World Title from 2016 to 2022 and was heavily considered one of the top Super Flyweights in the world. However, with the two defeats to Fernando Martinez in February and October 2022, he has been without a World Title and is looking to amend this on Saturday night against Takuma Inoue.
Verdict
I think Jerwin Ancajas becomes a two-weight World Champion on Saturday Night. Potentially by stoppage…
Kosei Tanaka vs Christian Bacasegua Rangel is the first world title fight of the night, and a cracking contest to kick off proceedings on Saturday night for the vacant WBO Super Flyweight World Title.
Kosei Tanaka is a three-weight World Champion, and is looking at becoming a four-weight World Champion on Saturday, having held the WBO Minimum Flyweight World Title from 2015 to 2016, the WBO Junior Flyweight World Title from 2016 to 2017 and the WBO Flyweight World Title from 2018 to 2020. Can he make it four WBO World Titles in a row on Saturday night?
Christian Bacasegua Rangel is tough opposition Saturday night for Tanaka, and will provide a stern test for him. 28 Fights, 22 Wins, 2 Draws and 4 Defeats with only one coming by way of stoppage, Christian Bacasegua Rangel will be looking to be as tough old boots come Saturday Night.
Verdict
Come on, it has to be Kosei Tanaka. A three-weight World Champion, looking to become a four-weight? Tell you what as well, he stops Christian Bacasegua Rangel in the process.
Full card as well before the three World Title Fights. Have a look below for the times and where to watch!
I enjoyed that write up. A proper throwback. Have a good weekend all. x
Greg Cooke X BBTV – gc___123
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