David Cuellar Takes on Huge Challenge Against Junto Nakatani

GLASGOW ― On Monday, February 24, at Tokyo's Ariake Arena, Junto Nakatani will make his third defense of the WBC bantamweight title he won in February 2024. His opponent: Mexico's David Cuellar.

Now a three-division world champion, Nakatani (29-0, 22 knockouts) entertained boxing fans in 2024 by gloving up three times ― all three contests were won inside of six rounds by the skilled southpaw who is a native of Mie Prefecture.

Cuellar (28-0, 18 KOs) of Queretaro, Mexico, will be boxing outside of his homeland for the first time when he faces Nakatani. That in itself adds to the magnitude of the test that lies ahead for the 23-year-old.

It may not phase him too much as, despite his youth, Cuellar, known as "El General," has been boxing as a professional for close to eight years. Yes, you read that correctly. In Mexico, boxers are permitted to turn pro at the tender age of 15. Cuellar did exactly that. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez and Marco Antonio Barrera, both legends of the sport, are two countrymen of Cuellar who also started in the professional ranks at age 15.

Learning Some More About David Cuellar

Upon reading Cuellar's boxing résumé, the first thing that springs to mind is that he has been well-managed and matched so far. To date, his successful run has seen him compete at flyweight and super flyweight before making the permanent step up to bantamweight in 2023. Cuellar won a couple of WBC regional titles in the super flyweight division in 2021 and 2022.

When he steps through the ropes to face Nakatani, Cuellar will be contesting his sixth fight in the 118-pound (53.5kg) division. In his five bantamweight bouts so far, he has been gradually matched with a better level of opponent, but still nothing approaching a boxer in the class of Nakatani.

Cuellar went the distance three times in these bouts, bringing his career KO percentage down from 70% to a more modest-looking 64%. It should be noted that the three fights that required the judges were all won by wide margins on the scorecards by Cuellar. Cuellar, as a result of these victories, is currently ranked sixth by the WBC in its bantamweight rankings.

A Closer Look at Cuellar's Last Five Fights

A May 2023 contest against compatriot Francisco Mendivil (10-6-2, nine KOs) before the fight) kicked off Cuellar's bantamweight campaign. The fight went the 10-round distance but it should be stated that Cuellar was in a difficult position going into this bout.

In October of 2021, Cuellar had boxed Moises Fuentes in Cancun. Cuellar knocked Fuentes out, but after the bout, Fuentes required brain surgery. Fuentes, who was making a comeback to boxing after a three-year absence, would never leave the hospital and sadly passed away in November 2022.

Cuellar must have been affected by the tragic outcome of the Fuentes bout and his contest against Mendivil was his first since Fuentes' death. Being the fighter in the other corner for a fight that ends in tragedy is extremely difficult. Their feelings and suffering are often overlooked as all the focus is on the deceased boxer and the rights and wrongs of the sport. Cuellar must be extremely tough mentally.

Following on from Mendivil, Cuellar was back in the ring in August 2023. This time he faced Marlon Rios Sarinana. Another compatriot, but one not on Cuellar's level. Cuellar won via third-round technical knockout.

Boxing Against Better Opponents

Next up Cuellar encountered a former world title challenger ― Panamanian veteran Luis Concepcion, who entered the match with a 40-10 record, including 29 KOs. As the below highlight video shows, Cuellar dealt well with an aggressive opponent, boxing on the back foot and countering beautifully. A third-round knockdown put Cuellar in control and the bout was eventually stopped in round eight as Concepcion was taking too much punishment.

Three months later, Cuellar boxed Pablo Ariel Gomez of Argentina in January 2024. Gomez (then 18-14, one KO), a former winner of the South American bantamweight title, went the 10-round distance with Cuellar. But Gomez lost every round on the scorecards.

Cuellar's next bout would be his toughest, and therefore best victory to date. In May 2024, the last time he boxed, El General was matched with former world title challenger Jose Velasquez (then 32-9-3, 22 KOs) of Chile. Velasquez lost a wide decision when he challenged Murodjon Akhmadaliev for his super bantamweight crown in November 2021.

Velasquez didn't fare any better against Cuellar. Cuellar won all but one round on all three scorecards to underline his dominance against his experienced opponent.

Cuellar's Boxing Style

Boxing out of the orthodox stance ― leading with the left hand for any readers fairly new to boxing ― Cuellar absolutely loves throwing his left hook. When he is on top in a fight and feeling confident, he is looking to land that shot to the head and body constantly. He throws his left to the body in true Mexican style ― Nakatani beware.

Along with his left hook, the other thing that jumps off the screen, or stats sheet, when analyzing Cuellar is his height. He is tall for a bantamweight. Standing 5-foot-8½, Cuellar will be the taller man against Nakatani. That is something new for Nakatani as at 5-foot-8 he is also tall for the 118-pound division. It's not much of a height advantage but it will be interesting to see if being the shorter man alters Nakatani's approach.

Nakatani himself has referred to Cuellar's height. "I'm looking at a tall opponent," the WBC champion said, according to the website Boxing Scene.

He continued, "I know he is tall, and I have seen some of his fights on video. His left hand with hooks and uppercuts is very dangerous."

As a result of his height, Cuellar has become used to detonating a powerful-looking overhand right against shorter opponents. Although this punch is coming from a long way back, Cuellar's speed gets it to the target quickly.

Displaying Patience Against Concepcion and Velasquez

As well as possessing height and significant offensive weapons, Cuellar has also shown that he can box in a patient and composed fashion. Against Concepcion and Velasquez especially, he was happy to wait and counter. These bouts also showcased Cuellar's jab. He may be in love with throwing the left hook, but when he uses his left to jab, he does so with speed and authority.

One suspects that Cuellar will box in a more circumspect fashion against Nakatani, especially during the opening rounds. If this is the case, look for him to use his jab, possibly doubling or tripling up on it to demonstrate to Nakatani that it won't be an easy night's work.

Concluding Thoughts and Fight Prediction

After defeating Velasquez in May, Cuellar probably didn't expect to find himself boxing against Nakatani in Japan in his next fight.

His career has been steadily developed so it feels like this fight is coming just a little too early for him. Instead of facing Nakatani, which represents a huge jump up for him, his career trajectory thus far suggested he would have perhaps boxed for a regional title at 118 pounds next.

But that's boxing ― fighters never know when they will be made an offer to face an elite champion. Cuellar deserves credit for stepping up and saying yes to the opportunity.

At this stage, while Cuellar is a good fighter, Nakatani is a great one. Cuellar also has to deal with not having home advantage, and everything that entails, for the first time in his career. Nakatani is perhaps nearing his peak, which is why the prediction here is for Cuellar to do himself justice in the ring but for Nakatani to win by stoppage in the final quarter of the fight.

Author: Colin Morrison

Morrison is a freelance sportswriter. Find his stories on SportsLook. Writing since 2016, his byline currently appears on FightsATW.com where he covers boxing. Morrison has previously written for NYFights.com and spitballingpod.com. His main areas of interest are boxing, soccer, golf and rugby union. Morrison is from Scotland and can be found on X (formerly Twitter) @Morrie1981.