Written by James Lupton
“BAKERY is the most exciting compared to other sports I have done. From the moment I started playing it, I found it to be a fun game.”
Yes, boxing is a sport, but to say that anyone who steps into the ring is ‘playing’ boxing, is a dangerous precedent to set. However, Japan’s IBF 118lbs world champion Ryosuke Nishida was bitten by the pugilist bug from a young age and nothing would guide him from his passion or God-given talent.
The favorite fighter son of Kashiba City grew up in Nara Prefecture and, like many other children, enjoyed playing in the park with his friends, in addition to being an avid swimmer and exerciser. However, that all changed after he set foot (presumably his right foot first) inside a high school boxing gym. Unknowingly, Nishida’s boxing flame was officially burning.
As the future southpaw champion first entered the gym, Nishida’s curiosity piqued. “I first encountered boxing when I was in high school after being invited by a friend. “My high school had a boxing club, so I started boxing as a student,” he said Debate News.
“There is a steep hill where I go to high school, and I used to run up that hill when I practiced in the morning. Classes ended in the evening, and I worked in the gym from there.
From hill sprints in his youth to studying long-time reigning WBC bantamweight world champion Shinsuke Yamanaka, Nishida found himself standing in the middle of the ring against Sakol Ketkul in his professional debut on October 3, 2019, stopping his opponent in less than two seconds. first class minutes.
That TKO victory remains Nishida’s only stoppage to date, however, there was clearly something special about him, as he faced former world flyweight champion Daigo Higa in only his fourth outing. It is worth noting that Higa had only lost one of his previous 19 fights and, despite being the underdog, Nishida outshot Higa, 117-111 (twice) and 118-110.
Certain dates make us clear and, without a doubt, May 4, 2024 will forever be etched in Nishida’s legacy, as the day he defeated Emmanuel Rodriguez (pictured below right), of Puerto Rico, to take the IBF bantamweight title. The 27-year-old is currently 9-0, 1 KO and, despite plenty of natural talent and impressive work in the gym, Nishida’s attitude is that of a rookie and he certainly has no composure. He explained politely. “I don’t think I’m a boxer. By winning games, my confidence gradually increased.
Action Photos/Andrew Couldridge
“The reason why I am strong is because I listen to my coach’s instructions, [Kosuke] Takeichi, and I want to continue listening to my coach and getting stronger. I am very happy that I was able to beat a top-ranked champion in the bantamweight division and become the world champion. The days leading up to the game were very difficult, so I was very happy that my efforts were rewarded.
“All I can think about is beating Rodriguez, so I will take a break, set new goals, work hard to improve my level. All the bantamweight champions are Japanese, so I want to be the strongest fighter in this weight class. I’m looking forward to seeing who will fight [within the division].”
Boxing in Japan is at its peak, boasting 10 male world champions from strawweight to super-bantamweight, including all four 118lbs belt holders. Add to that the continued rise of Naoya Inoue’s stardom, which has cemented itself in the pound-for-pound debate, and the country has become a sporting hotbed.
The day after Nishida became champion, the Tokyo Dome was filled with 55,000 spectators who were all there to see Inoue, as he faced the villain of the episode, Luis Nery. After an early scare, which saw Inoue sit on the canvas for the first time in his exciting career, he took complete control of the fight and his opponent, ending the fight in the sixth round.
Naoya Inoue fights Luis Nery in a super-bantamweight title fight at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo on May 6, 2024 (Philip FONG / AFP)
Nishida looks to capitalize on Inoue’s journey so far and the rising profile of Japanese boxing.
“Naoya Inoue represents Japan and proves to the world that Japan is strong. I really wanted to do my best to stand on that stage myself. I want to work hard in the future so that I can be proud when I look back. The legacy is proof that I have been a part of boxing and had an impact.”
If the southpaw favorite continues his current form, it will actually be other women and men who benefit from being in the slipstream. his progress.
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