FILIPINO challenger Vincent Astrolabio will be the heavy underdog when he tries to wrest the World Boxing Council bantamweight belt from unbeaten defending champion Junto Nakatani of Japan tomorrow at the famed Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo.
Oddsmakers have tagged Astrolabio, 27, who has a record of 19 wins (14 KOs) against four losses, a 1-3 underdog against the hometown slugger, who is aiming for his 28th straight win and 21st knockout victim when they tangle in the headliner of a triple header.
At 5-foot-7, Nakatani, 26, enjoys a two-centimeter edge in height and also has a five-centimeter reach advantage.
The Japanese champ is making his second title defense of the strap. In his last match, he stopped Mexican Alexandro Santiago of Mexico in six rounds last Feb. 24 at the same arena.
Astrolabio is making his second crack at the world bantamweight title, losing by majority decision to World Boxing Organization title holder Jason Moloney of England on May 13, 2023 at the Stockton Arena in Stockton, California.
