2023 Knockout Of The Year – Junto Nakatani KO 12 Andrew Moloney
On the undercard of Devin Haney vs Vasily Lomachenko, Junto Nakatani faced Andrew Moloney for the vacant WBO Super Flyweight title. What on paper could have been somewhat competitive, absolutely wasn’t.
Nakatani pummeled Moloney, won every single round, and was landing heavy uppercuts and straight-back hands throughout.
The Japanese pugilist floored the Australian in the 2nd heavily and put him down even worse in the 11th. Moloney barely made the count and was stumbling around trying to regain his composure after making it, beaten, bruised and in no fit state to continue.
The fight should’ve been stopped after the eleventh but for some reason, Moloney was allowed to go out for the twelfth and he paid the price for his corner’s negligence. The Aussie took a huge left hand from Nakatani that rendered him unconscious for around 5 minutes in the ring.
Nakatani squatted down as if he was planning to throw a backhand to the body, bringing down the right glove of Moloney which allowed Nakatani to land a loaded-up overhand left that was devastating on impact.
The fight was called off less than a second after the punch connected with Moloney crumbling in his stance and his head banging onto the canvas.
Honourable Mentions For Knockout Of The Year
- Zhilei Zhang KO 3 Joe Joyce
- Eduardo Nunez KO 2 Jesus Martin Cecya
- Brandon Grach KO 2 Liam Talivaa
- Adrian Curiel KO 2 Sivenathi Nontshinga
- Yoenis Tellez KO 10 Livan Navarro
- Jai Opetaia KO 1 Ellis Zorro
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Image Credit: Mikey Williams/Top Rank