PICKS: JUNTO NAKATANI VS. ALEXANDRO SANTIAGO, TAKUMA INOUE VS. JERWIN ANCAJAS & MORE

By: Jay Calderon

On Saturday at the Sumo Arena in Tokyo, Japan, and live on ESPN in the States, Alexandro Santiago will defend his Bantamweight gold against Jr. Bantamweight titlist Junto Nakatani.

Santiago (28-3-5, 14KOs) has lost only once since February of 2019, which was a close majority decision defeat to Gary Antonio Russell in late 2021. Most recently, Santiago defeated the legendary Nonito Donaire to pick up the vacant gold he currently possesses.

Nakatani (26-0, 19KOs) has stopped seven of his last ten, including a highlight reel stoppage over Andrew Moloney back in May to capture his 115 pound gold. However, most recently, Nakatani was taken the distance by Argi Cortes back in September.

Also on the card, Takuma Inoue (18-1, 4KOs) will defend his Bantamweight title against former world champion Jerwin Ancajas (34-3-2, 23KOs) and Kosei Tanaka (19-1, 11KOs) and Christian Bacasegua (22-4-2, 9KOs) will battle for vacant gold at 115 pounds.

Check out all these picks in the video above.

If you feel like giving me any feedback, click here.