Junto Nakatani left Petch Sor Chitpattana in a bad way with a savage KO to retain his flyweight world title.

Nakatani was defending his WBC flyweight title in Japan at the Ariake Arena, looking to continue to cement his name on the top ten of the pound-for-pound list.

Top RankNakatani landed a crackling left hand which left his rival flattened[/caption]

The Japanese star was facing the tough challenge of Chitpattana, who was competing in his 78th fight as a professional against the champion.

But it was the home favourite who stunned his Thai rival, picking his moment to make a breakthrough in the sixth round.

He first dropped him with a flurry of shots, which dazed the experienced star, but he was able to scurry back to his feet.

Chitpattana had upped the pace and was trying to increase his output and tag the king, but unfortunately it saw him getting caught by more damaging counter blows.

And it was a straight left hand which caught the challenger and sent him crashing to the canvas, landing flush through the guard in the dying embers of the round.

He was first left flat on his face facing forward, before rolling over on to his back as he tried to clamber to his feet.

Despite trying desperately to rise his heavy body, he was left unable to continue and the referee immediately waved off the contest.

Fans were stunned and were quick to point out the thumping noise of the punch, with one writing: “You can literally hear the power of that punch, wow.”

Another agreed: “Missed them all but caught this missile of a left cross. Sharp fight.”

One added: “The sounds of his punches is genuinely incredible.”

Top RankChitpattana was unable to recover and Nakatani picked up a big win[/caption]

Another concluded: “Can’t wait for world title unifications. I’d also love him to fight Naoya Inoue.”

It was a huge win for Nakatani who many are now calling for to enter the pound-for-pound rankings higher up the list.

He is currently in ninth position but could find himself on the rise, particularly given his dominant performances.

It has been a successful 2024 for the Japanese star, who now has three stoppage wins this calendar year.

“At the beginning, I knew my opponent was quite aggressive coming into the fight,” he said via translator after the fight.

“So, I slowed down and chilled out and watched him come into me.”

“I think key to the victory was what my coach told me during the fight.

“Just calm yourself and look at your opponent carefully so that I could be able to watch him carefully at the beginning and I can go straight into punching him later.

“This is my third knockout victory [at bantamweight] and defence of the title.

“I hope people are happy about it.”