Junto Nakatani may have punched the punch of the year on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The Japanese slugger stopped Andrew Moloney with a powerful left-hander in the 12th round to win the 115-pound WBO belt that was vacant on Devin Haney-Vasiliy Lomachenko, giving the Japanese boxer the belt. main in the second division.
The official stoppage time was 2:42 of the final half.
Nakatani (25-0, 19 KOs) put the game into play, but overcame Moloney three times — in the second, 11 and 12 — but it was a final round that will never be forgotten.
The new champion appeared to be on his way to a wide decisive victory when the tall, powerful male player landed wide on the left, knocking Moloney out instantly.
Moloney (25-3, 16 KOs) lay on his stomach and was bloody for a few minutes before standing up and congratulating Nakatani.
Nakatani, 25, a former 112-pound WBO belt, has now stopped seven of his last eight opponents in an impressive run that makes him one of the top child boxers.
