MEXICAN knockout artist Eduardo Nunez has been in hot pursuit of super-featherweight gold. Tomorrow, ‘Sugar’ will get his opportunity when he takes on Masanori Rikiishi, on away soil, in a battle for the vacant IBF strap.
Nunez, 27-1 (27 KOs), had been ordered for a title challenge as the mandatory challenger for Anthony Cacace’s crown last year. Cacace decided to vacate the belt in January to face Leigh Wood instead.
Thus, the Los Mochis-based contender has been frustratingly sidelined while waiting for Cacace. He has fought just once since October 2023, when he did what Nicholas Walters, Oscar Valdez, and Michael Conlan couldn’t and stopped Colombia’s Miguel Marriaga.
That win saw Nunez continue his impressive streak of winning via knockout in each of his 27 triumphs, extending his run to 17 consecutive wins inside the distance since losing a six-rounder to Hiram Gallardo in 2018.
Meanwhile, Masanori Rikiishi, 16-1 (11 KOs), is hardly reliant on the judges himself, having halted his last five opponents to earn a deserved shot at world honours.
Last year, the Japanese southpaw scored a career-best victory when he travelled to Italy to take on Michael Magnesi as the away fighter. He registered a dramatic final-round knockout whilst behind on the scorecards.
That outing represents the only time that Rikiishi has fought outside of his home nation. He has since returned home with a two-round beatdown of Arnel Baconaje, ahead of this ideal opportunity to upset the odds in front of his supporters in Yokohama.
Today, both Nunez (129.4lbs) and Rikiishi (129.6lbs) hit the scales, with the physical advantages there to see for the latter, who boasts an additional three-and-a-half inches in both height and reach when compared to the visiting favourite.
EDUARDO NUNEZ VS. MASANORI RIKIISHI FIGHT PREDICTION
Tomorrow’s fight is a tough one to call but one thing that can be confidently predicted is that the fight is sure to catch fire and result in an entertaining scrap.
Though Nunez is the favourite and has an eye-catching record on paper, it is Rikiishi who has faced superior opposition and will be more comfortable fighting in a unique Japanese environment.
Boxing News predicts that both men’s toughness will see them go the full distance, but Rikiishi will do enough to spring the upset and raise his hand in a tight decision win.
