Masayoshi Nakatani


Masayoshi Nakatani is a Japanese professional boxer. He held the OPBF lightweight title between 2014 and 2019, and won the WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title in 2020.

Professional career

Early career

Nakatani fought the first 18 bouts of his professional career in his native Japan. During this time, he won the OPBF lightweight title in January 2014, and successfully defended it 11 times.

Rise up the ranks

Nakatani vs. López

After compiling a perfect record of 18-0, Nakatani made his first appearance in the ring outside of Japan when he faced fellow undefeated contender Teófimo López on July 19, 2019 in Oxon Hill, Maryland in an eliminator for the IBF lightweight title. Nakatani lost a unanimous decision, with scores of 118-110, 118-110 and 119-109.

Nakatani vs. Verdejo

On December 12, 2020 in Paradise, Nevada, Nakatani defeated Félix Verdejo by ninth-round technical knockout despite being down on all three scorecards at the time of the stoppage to capture the vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title. The bout was an exciting one, with both men exchanging two knockdowns apiece. In his post-fight interview, Nakatani stated his desire to avenge his loss to Teófimo López, who had since become unified lightweight champion: “I fought Teófimo López before and I want to fight him again. That’s why I kept going tonight. I want to go for the knockout like I did today."

Nakatani vs. Lomachenko

Nakatani returned to the ring on June 26, 2021 in Paradise, Nevada to face former three-division world champion Vasiliy Lomachenko, with whom he shares a common loss to Teófimo López. Nakatani was knocked down twice en route to a ninth-round technical knockout loss.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
23Loss20–3Shuichiro YoshinoKO6, Nov 1, 2022Saitama Super Arena, Saitama, JapanFor WBO Asia Pacific lightweight title
22Win20–2Harmonito Dela TorreKO1, Jun 13, 2022Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
21Loss19–2Vasiliy LomachenkoTKO9, 1:48Jun 26, 2021Virgin Hotels Las Vegas, Paradise, Nevada, US
20Win19–1Félix VerdejoTKO9, 1:45Dec 12, 2020MGM Grand Conference Center, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.Won vacant WBO Inter-Continental lightweight title
19Loss18–1Teófimo LópezUD12Jul 19, 2019MGM National Harbor, Oxon Hill, Maryland, U.S.
18Win18–0Hurricane FutaTKO4, 1:43Dec 9, 2018Edion Arena, Osaka, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
17Win17–0Izuki TomiokaTKO11, 2:40Jul 29, 2018Edion Arena, Osaka, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
16Win16–0Amphol SuriyoKO6, 1:45Feb 24, 2018Edion Arena, Osaka, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
15Win15–0Ryan SermonaTKO4 Sep 3, 2017Shimazu Arena, Kyoto, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
14Win14–0Krai SetthaphonUD12Apr 9, 2017Edion Arena, Osaka, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
13Win13–0Allan TanadaTKO7, 1:35Nov 11, 2016Central Gym, Kobe, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
12Win12–0Tosho Makoto AokiTKO1, 1:19Apr 17, 2016Edion Arena, Osaka, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
11Win11–0Kazuya Murata5, 3:00Aug 28, 2015Central Gym, Kobe, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
10Win10–0Accel SumiyoshiUD12Apr 5, 2015Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
9Win9–0Futoshi UsamiUD12Oct 28, 2014Central Gym, Kobe, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
8Win8–0Ricky SismundoUD12May 7, 2014Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, JapanRetained OPBF lightweight title
7Win7–0Yoshitaka Kato12Jan 11, 2014Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon OPBF lightweight title
6Win6–0Shuhei TsuchiyaKO3, 1:58Jul 25, 2013Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5Win5–0Weerayuth PatangwesangKO2, 2:16Apr 26, 2013Central Gym, Kobe, Japan
4Win4–0Ronnel Esparas1, 2:45Aug 12, 2012Central Gym, Kobe, Japan
3Win3–0Roel LagunaTKO5, 1:32Mar 20, 2012IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan
2Win2–0Tetsuto Sebiyo Tonomura6Oct 2, 2011IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan
1Win1–0Katsuhisa Shiokawa4, 1:35Jun 12, 2011IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan