Being considered the underdog offers inherent advantages, often lessening the impact of the clear drawbacks encountered when predictions are firmly against you.
Naturally, the favored fighter might possess a psychological edge derived from their past experiences on fight night.
Even minor details, like a bigger dressing room or a more convenient arrival at the arena, can reinforce their belief that they are the star of the show.
However, regarding fight preparation, the underdog often holds a subtle yet crucial advantage.
By not only observing but meticulously studying their opponent over several years, the less-favored fighter has had the chance to prepare themselves, mentally and physically, for potentially the biggest fight of their life.
Their opponent, meanwhile, has been occupied with other bouts and challenges, perhaps never giving the underdog much consideration.
This dynamic appears particularly relevant to Junto Nakatani, a bantamweight world champion focused primarily on a massive all-Japanese clash against the two-division undisputed champion, Naoya Inoue.
While Inoue enjoys the spotlight, Nakatani (30-0, 23 KOs) has been diligently honing his skills away from public view, consistently prioritizing thoughts of his rival.
This persistent drive – perhaps even an obsession – to constantly compare himself against the elite has naturally placed the 27-year-old in a much stronger position for their anticipated bout in 2026.
“That`s an advantage he`s given me; he motivates me to perform better,” Nakatani remarked, a slight gleam in his eye.
“Ideally, we`re aiming for a fight with Inoue around this time next year, but much could change between now and then.”
“Personally, I understand I must treat every fight seriously and keep winning, otherwise, the chance for that fight might vanish. Therefore, I`m training exceptionally hard for every upcoming match.”
Beyond his aspiration for the highly anticipated fight with Inoue (30-0, 27 KOs), Nakatani is equally committed to building an impressive legacy before he retires.
While his career is already on track for future acclaim, the three-division world champion is still focused on elevating his status even further.
His next fight offers precisely that opportunity, as `Big Bang` seeks to unify his weight class this Sunday at the Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan.
Standing between him and more titles is Ryosuke Nishida, the IBF bantamweight world champion, whose rangy southpaw style closely mirrors Nakatani`s own.
Nevertheless, while recognizing his opponent`s clear strengths, the WBC champion is confident that his finely tuned strategy will be victorious on fight night.
“Becoming a unified champion will enhance my standing in the boxing world and create more chances for major bouts,” stated Nakatani.
“He has a strong lead hand, but so do I. I believe my lead hand can overcome his.”
At 27, with many years potentially ahead to further develop, Nakatani has already dedicated most of his life to combat sports, or at least some form of fighting.
Ultimately, though, boxing captured his interest uniquely, its powerful draw steadily pulling him towards the sport.
“Around age eight or nine, I began competing in karate,” he recounted. “But it became very challenging to win consistently, so I looked for a sport regulated by weight classes. That led me to boxing.”
“My boxing mentor then started encouraging me, and I was pleased with the motivation I gained from training.”
“I began achieving results at my natural weight against opponents where neither of us had excuses. We competed fairly, which was a valuable experience.”
It was then that Nakatani started planning his path, realizing that to reach the pinnacle of world championship success, he needed the right support team.
At just 15, the Japanese fighter already possessed an intensely ambitious outlook, opting against staying in his familiar surroundings and instead taking a chance by moving to America.
From that point, Nakatani`s brave yet deliberate gamble quickly started paying off, enabling him to advance with remarkable speed.
“Moving to America wasn`t truly difficult,” he explained, “because I was training with my head coach, Rudy Hernandez, and the rest of my team.”
“I could develop freely and comfortably as a boxer, so I feel very fortunate to have had that experience.”
“Naturally, there was a language barrier, but I managed to prove myself and make my mark through boxing rather than words.”
“Boxing has always been enjoyable for me, but to improve and get stronger, I recognized the need for the correct environment. For me, that was Los Angeles.”
“Training with Rudy Hernandez and becoming part of the team he built also allowed me to push beyond my comfort zone.”
Although he has been based in America since then, his Japanese culture is also believed to have played a role in his significant success in boxing.
Japan, the Land of the Rising Sun, seems to possess a tangible warrior spirit, apparently inherited across generations and often extending far beyond the boxing ring.
Potentially stemming from the samurai tradition, this fighting instinct appears to have deepened recently, as Japan has become a fertile source for highly skilled fighters.
Nevertheless, it requires a truly exceptional person, regardless of their background, to step into a competitive arena like boxing.
Nakatani`s skill and determination aren`t simply explained by his culture alone; each performance in the ring uniquely reflects his individual character.
Still, the astute boxer admits that, for most Japanese people, there is a deep-seated inner drive.
“It`s individual, involving personality and other factors,” Nakatani commented. “Not everyone in Japan has that warrior instinct or fighting spirit. But I believe it`s common among them.”
Certainly, Nakatani will require more than just fighting spirit if he eventually faces Inoue, who is a genuinely formidable knockout artist.
However, history shows – with Mike Tyson vs. Evander Holyfield as a prime example – that the underdog, when given sufficient preparation time, can often devise an effective strategy.
Thus, just as Holyfield endured a frustrating wait before getting his chance, Nakatani persists with his work behind the scenes, keeping his powerful left hand ready.
