Junto Nakatani survived a brutal 12-round war to defeat Sebastián Hernández by unanimous decision in his super bantamweight debut on the Riyadh card. The official scorecards read 118-110, 115-113, and 115-113, sparking outrage over the wide 118-110 tally that many viewed as a gross misrepresentation of a fiercely competitive fight.
Nakatani, dropping from bantamweight, faced relentless pressure from the Mexican warrior Hernández in the co-main event at Mohammed Abdo Arena. What began as a technical showcase for the Japanese southpaw evolved into a grueling battle of attrition, with Hernández’s non-stop volume forcing Nakatani into prolonged firefights.
Hernández out-threw Nakatani 568-409 overall and dominated the second half with 179-155 punch landings in the final six rounds. His high guard, body work, and forward marches turned the contest into the kind of phone-booth war that tests even elite prospects, leaving Nakatani with a massively swollen right eye by the final bell.
Nakatani controlled the early action with precise straight lefts and a right uppercut in round one, using footwork to keep distance. Hernández closed gaps aggressively from round three, targeting the body and forcing Nakatani to trade in the pocket, where rounds became razor-close and highly competitive.
By the middle rounds, Nakatani’s body shots slowed Hernández temporarily, but the Mexican’s pressure peaked in rounds seven through eleven. Fierce exchanges defined the ninth—a candidate for 2025’s round of the year—with Hernández’s hooks and uppercuts landing flush amid Nakatani’s counters.
The tenth saw Nakatani circle effectively, landing body shots to reclaim momentum, but Hernández’s volume in the eleventh appeared to steal it back. Nakatani rallied strongly in the twelfth, though most observers saw the fight as far tighter than the cards suggested.
The 118-110 scorecard from Saudi judge Nawaf Almohaimeed drew immediate condemnation as «disgraceful,» «corrupt,» and «miles away» from reality. Critics noted it awarded Hernández only two rounds despite his clear dominance in volume and pressure over the latter half.
The other two cards at 115-113 aligned more closely with media tallies, including The Ring’s scoring, but even those felt generous to Nakatani given Hernández’s aggression. Fan forums and analysts widely scored for Hernández or even, fueling debates about judging integrity in high-profile Saudi events and boxing predictions that Hernández had done enough to win.
Nakatani improved to 31-0 (24 KOs) but admitted the fight was a «great learning experience» against a «tough fighter.» His composure, counter-punching, and late rally preserved the win, though he struggled to acclimate to the pressure and new weight class. The visible damage around his eye underscored Hernández’s effectiveness.
Post-fight, Nakatani expressed gratitude for the Saudi opportunity and focused on growth, positioning himself for bigger tests like a potential megafight with Naoya Inoue. The performance showed heart but exposed vulnerabilities against swarm-style pressure fighters.
Hernández’s Heart Steals the Show
Sebastián Hernández, now 20-1 (KOs unspecified), emerged as the moral victor in many eyes. His bravery, endless pressure, and ability to drag a favored opponent into war earned universal respect, even in defeat. Never backing down despite absorbing clean shots, he made Nakatani earn every minute.
The 118-110 card particularly stung, robbing Hernández of credit for turning a mismatch into a classic. His volume and body attack offered a blueprint for future challengers, ensuring he’ll rebound strongly in the deep super bantamweight division.
This Riyadh undercard bout overshadowed even Inoue’s main event in controversy, highlighting tensions between entertainment value and judging transparency. Matchroom and Saudi promoters delivered thrilling action, but the scorecard fueled calls for oversight reforms.
For Nakatani, the win advances his trajectory toward elite status, though boxing news and Youtube Channel breakdowns will dissect his adaptation needs. Hernández’s stock rises as a gatekeeper who exposed cracks, setting up domestic rivalries and international rematch talk in a loaded 122-pound landscape.
