On December 15, at the Sumiyoshi Sports Center in Osaka, Japan, Ryosuke Nishida successfully defended his IBF Bantamweight title for the first time, delivering a breathtaking knockout against Thailand’s Anuchai Donsua. The match ended at the 1:37 mark of the seventh round, marking Nishida's first KO victory of his professional career.
Nishida, aged 28, entered the ring with the confidence and skill of someone eager to prove himself following his title win earlier this year against Emmanuel Rodriguez. He has now achieved a professional record boasting ten wins with two by knockout. During the fight, Nishida demonstrated his exceptional technique as a southpaw, maintaining distance and control against the 14th ranked Donsua, who also entered the ring undefeated with 16 wins, including 7 by KO.
From the onset, Nishida managed to keep the challenger’s aggressive style at bay, utilizing quick jabs and power punches to punish Donsua. Each round saw Nishida grow more adept at exploiting openings, employing body punches effectively and showcasing his boxing IQ. By the fifth round, Nishida had landed powerful right hooks, knocking Donsua down and shifting the momentum squarely in his favor.
Fans gathered at the venue, around 3000 strong, watched as Nishida captivated the audience with his performance, reliant on his trademark defensive skills and precise counter-punching. The climax came as Nishida executed a flawless left body uppercut, sending Donsua crashing to the canvas unable to recover.
Post-fight, Nishida found himself surrounded by family and friends, including his wife, former champion Sana, and their newborn daughter. But amid the celebration, he expressed mixed feelings about the match. “Honestly, I’m really glad I could knock him out, but the performance was the worst of my professional career. If I continue like this, I’ll be knocked out by other champions,” he said, showcasing his commitment to improvement.
Nishida reflected on what he desired for his boxing future. “I want to become the strongest fighter in the Bantamweight division, and I’m aiming for a unification bout with [WBC champion] Junto Nakagawa,” he noted confidently. This ambition aligns with the excitement surrounding the Bantamweight division as four Japanese fighters currently hold world titles among the four major boxing organizations.
The fight had its challenges for Nishida, who had endured during sparring three weeks prior after suffering from bruised ribs. Preparing for such rigorous matches typically requires extensive sparring sessions—usually over 100—but Nishida had to settle for significantly fewer leading up to this bout. This limitation forced him to adapt his fighting style during the match and learn to regain composure after feeling the heat from his opponents.
Despite the rough start, he managed to draw from inner strength, reclaiming his rhythm and sealing victory with finesse. The atmosphere was electric, with commentators noting the growing allure of the Bantamweight division where champions inhabit the ring ready to defend their titles and vie for supremacy.
Also watching ringside was Seiya Sutemi, the WBA Bantamweight champion. He remarked on the depth of competition within the division, indicating he would welcome any opportunity for unification bouts when the time is right.
This title match not only solidifies Nishida’s standing among Japan’s boxing elite but could potentially set the stage for thrilling contests to follow. With his determination and talent, there’s certainly more to come from Ryosuke Nishida as he aims to unify the belts and etch his name within the annals of boxing history.
