WORLD BEAT
Colombia’s Andres Perez (18-1, 13 KOs). Also, light heavyweight prospect Braian Suarez (19-3, 18 KOs) and proven trialhorse Walter Sequeira (28-12-2, 19 KOs) were slated for a rematch; Suarez won (KO 1 via body shot) in 2020. In another notable return, former Ring flyweight champion Gabriela “La Chucky” Alaniz will be in action on March 8, looking to reestablish her career in the junior flyweight division after her stoppage loss to undisputed flyweight champion Gabriela Fundora back in November of last year.
the jaw with a straight right, which sent him staggering back on his heels. Gadzhimagomedov went after his opponent on the ropes, but once again Mchunu negated his attack. Mchunu landed a left to the body and another to the head in the next round, but those two shots were spread apart with Gadzhimagomedov busier in-between. The South African started faster in the fourth, but he was only throwing single shots, mostly to the body, while Gadzhimagomedov landed another straight right and the odd jab. This pattern continued over the next three rounds with some variation. Mchunu tried coming forward, then elected to back up and circle the perimeter, then worked his way inside in a crouching position. The problem was, whatever he did, the offensive output just wasn’t there while Gadzhimagomedov kept his hands moving. Gadzhimagomedov started digging to the body in the seventh, and that paid dividends by the eighth. He nailed Mchunu with a right uppercut that backed him into a corner. He managed to land another left hook, forcing Mchunu to hold. Gadzhimagomedov let it all hang out in the last two rounds and was firmly in control as Mchunu visibly faded. He was finally landing with more regularity, shortening his punches and getting them in around the gloves of Mchunu. He waved to the crowd in the 10th and landed an eye-catching one- two while Mchunu looked for a big shot that never came. The scores were 100-90 twice, with a third card of 100-91. Mchunu has challenged for world titles twice: He was knocked out in nine rounds by Oleksandr Usyk for the WBO belt in 2016, but many considered him unlucky to drop a split decision to Ilunga Makabu in 2022 in a WBC title bout. He has scored some fine victories on the road over the likes of Eddie Chambers, Denis Lebedev and Evgeny Tishchenko during his career.
It was remarkable to watch the short, compact Mchunu outbox much taller and rangier opponents over the years. The defensive moves are still very much there, but the offense has gone missing. In his last fight against Yamil Alberto Peralta (Mchunu lost a split decision), he seemed to struggle to pull the trigger. It is one thing to negate everything your opponent is doing, which he still does very well, but it is another thing to make your opponent pay. That essential bit seems to be a problem for Mchunu lately. He will no doubt get more of these types of fights on the international scene, but his world title hopes seem to be a thing of the past.
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SOUTH AFRICA BY DROEKS MALAN
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JAPAN BY YURIKO MIYATA Junto’s new nickname
South African fighters continue to globe-trot, testing up-and-comers on the international scene. Former cruiserweight contender Thabiso Mchunu journeyed to Moscow, only to drop a wide 10-round decision to 2020 Olympic silver medalist Muslim Gadzhimagomedov. The fight took place in the 224-pound bridgerweight division, unrecognized by The Ring. This was a non-title affair, although Gadzhimagomedov happens to be the WBA’s beltholder at the weight. It may have been wide on the cards, but technically it was far from easy for the Russian, who struggled to cleanly hit the stocky southpaw Mchunu. The first round was a feeling- out process, with both fighters only landing a straight second hand to the body. Gadzhimagomedov was the one punching but found only air. In the second, the Russian started letting his combinations go, but Mchunu showed the defensive flair that he is known for, blocking, parrying and slipping underneath the punches. The throwing-and-hoping approach paid off later in the round when Gadzhimagomedov nailed Mchunu on
At an open workout on February 4 in Los Angeles, Ringmagazine.com writer Manouk Akopyan brought a special gift for three-division titleholder Junto Nakatani. Nakatani, who signed with Top Rank last July and was three weeks away from the third defense of his WBC bantamweight title against David Cuellar – was delighted when presented with the January 2025 issue of The Ring magazine prior to a one-on-one interview. It was special for him because he appeared in the cover illustration as one of the nominees for Fighter of the Year, along with Oleksandr Usyk, Artur Beterbiev, Daniel Dubois and Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. “It’s such an honor being on The Ring’s cover, and this was my first time [in print],” said Nakatani. “I want to buy multiple copies, but I don’t know how.”
Pound-for-pound star Junto Nakatani seeks perfection in the gym before showing his wares under the lights.
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