Philippines, 06 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Astrolabio ready to rumble


PhilBoxing.com





Filipino challenger Vincent Astrolabio won’t leave anything to chance in a bold bid to dethrone undefeated WBC bantamweight champion Junto Nakatani in a scheduled 12-round bout at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo tomorrow night. He’s got a fight plan all laid out and if it’s executed to precision, the heavily-favored Nakatani will get the shock of his life.

“Si Asero ang mauuna,” said Astrolabio’s coach and trainer Nonoy Neri, referring to the fighter by his nickname which means steel. “Maaga matatapos at mahaba na ang eight rounds. Pero ‘di namin hahanapin ang knockout. Basta maraming suntok kada round, darating na lang ang knockout. Napag-aralan namin ang style ni Nakatani. Kaliwete siya, tatapon ng right jab tapos aatras at doon namin susugurin. Malakas ang kaniyang overhand left hook, iiwasan ni Asero ‘yan at iikot siya sa kanan ni Nakatani. Babantayan namin ang kaniyang right at left uppercut. Timing ang kailangan. Pagtamaan ni Asero ng solid, babagsak si Nakatani.”

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, who arrived in Tokyo from Las Vegas last Wednesday, said he’s not worried about the judges. “I’m not concerned about the scoring because the Japanese are very fair,” he said. “Besides, if Astrolabio wins, it’ll be by knockout.”

Astrolabio and Neri landed in Tokyo last Monday night with traveling companions Vincent Dayagonon and Aries Buenavidez. “Makikipagsabayan si Asero,” said Neri. “Sa media workout, nilapitan ako ni (Japanese promoter) Mr. (Akihiko) Honda at impressed siya sa bilis, lakas at katawan ni Asero. Handang-handa na siya. Noong nag-work out kami sa Teiken Gym, hangang-hanga mga nanood. Best shape of his life si Asero, malikot, maliksi, malakas, bilis ng galaw ng paa, kamay at ulo. Kukunin namin ang korona ni Nakatani.”

It won’t be easy dethroning the Japanese who held the WBO flyweight and superflyweight titles before wresting the WBC bantamweight crown from Mexico’s Alejandro Santiago on a sixth round stoppage in Tokyo last February. Nakatani’s record is 27-0, with 22 KOs and his knockout victims include Filipinos Gemiel Magramo, Milan Melindo, Philip Cuerdo, Dexter Alimento, Jeonil Borres and Joel Taduran. In Nakatani’s corner will be the late WBC superfeatherweight champion Genaro Hernandez’ brother Rudy who has honed the Japanese’s skills since he was 15. Nakatani, 26, is a year younger than Astrolabio who checks in with a record of 19-4, including 14 KOs.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • International Boxing Association Strengthens Strategic Presence in Cape Verde Following High-Level Official Visit
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Asia's First GM Eugene Torre 2nd in Russia chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Unified WBA, WBO and Ring Magazine Minimumweight World Champion Oscar "El Pupilo" Collazo Hosts Media Workout Ahead of March 14 Fight
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Youth High Performance Team Announced
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Women’s Youth High Performance Team Announced
    , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • Michael Linde rules Pangasinan chessfest
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 05 Mar 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 3 MARCH 2026: Navarrete Stops Nunez; Parra Jnr Outpoints Pierce; Wins by Emiliano Vargas and Abel Ramos
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • Team Philippines Crowned Champions of the 2026 Predator WPA Teams World Championship
    , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for radical reform of the Olympic Movement and equal rights for athletes
    , Wed, 04 Mar 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Boxing—A Spectacle of Masses and Millennial Stages
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Golden Boy Promotions Vs Virgil Ortiz Jr going to arbitration?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Boxlab Promotions Signs Undefeated Nicaraguan Knockout Artist Jordan “La Cobrita” Orozco
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • STACKED MARCH 14 UNDERCARD SHOWCASES GOLDEN BOY’S NEXT GENERATION OF CHAMPIONS 
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • The Perfect Boxing Prospect 12-0 Marco Romero
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • Quietly formidable boxers Kristian Prenga & Pyrce Taylor continue Their assault on the heavyweight division
    , Tue, 03 Mar 2026
  • “Prince” Albert Pagara Flies to Perth for WBC Australasia Title Fight
    By Carlos Costa, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Ryan Daye vows a dominant standout performance in WBC title Clash March 13 in Perth Thunderdome 53
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Moncal, Mag-aso rule Legacy Run
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lavant Brownlee Earns Gold, Lorenzo Patricio Earns Silver at Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Influencer Brooklyn Barwick Disputes hometown decision for NBA Americas Featherweight title
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • HALL OF FAMER WINKY WRIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN 2026 HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND FESTIVITIES
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Reyes Siblings New Champions in US chess tourney
    , Mon, 02 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Parra Delivers Stunning Second-Round Knockout at Sold-Out Manny Pacquiao Promotions Event at Turning Stone Resort Casino in Verona, N.Y.
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Almacen Bros Score Knockout Wins in Exciting Brico Santig Show in Thailand Live on TrillerTV
    By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 01 Mar 2026
  • Lorenzo Patricio and Lavant Brownlee Advance to Gold Medal Round in Bulgaria
    , Sun, 01 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.