On a night filled with thrilling matchups, Edgar "Sugar" Nunez emerged victorious as the new IBF super featherweight champion. The bout took place at Yokohama Buntai in Japan, where Nunez faced off against WBC Silver super featherweight champion Masonri Rikiishi. Over 12 grueling rounds, Nunez showcased his dominance, ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory with scores of 116-112, 117-111, and 115-113. This performance highlighted not only Nunez's technical prowess but also his strategic approach to outclass an experienced opponent. Meanwhile, other notable fights included Yoshiki Takei defending his WBO bantamweight title and several knockout victories across different weight categories.
Wednesday evening in Yokohama saw Edgar Nunez stepping into the ring ready to make history. From the opening bell, he demonstrated relentless pressure, controlling the pace early on. By landing key blows during the first two rounds, Nunez established himself as the aggressor. In the third round, Rikiishi momentarily shifted the momentum with a sharp combination that rattled Nunez. However, this was short-lived, as Nunez quickly regained control in the fourth round, pinning Rikiishi down for much of the duration.
As the fight progressed, Nunez continued to dominate, consistently outlanding his rival from the fifth through seventh rounds. A pivotal moment occurred in the ninth when Nunez trapped Rikiishi along the ropes, maintaining relentless pressure throughout the round. By the eleventh, visible signs of fatigue appeared on Rikiishi, marked by multiple lumps forming on his forehead due to repeated strikes. In the twelfth and final round, despite some counterattacks from Rikiishi, Nunez maintained his composure, effectively closing out the match.
In addition to Nunez’s triumph, the evening featured another standout performance by southpaw Yoshiki Takei. Defending his WBO bantamweight title, Takei dismantled Yuttapong Tongdee within the first round. Using precise left hooks, Takei dropped Tongdee twice before referee Chris Young allowed the fight to continue until it became indefensible. Other highlights included Tsubasa Narai’s eighth-round knockout of Yuna Hara, Ryu Isogane stopping Tomoya Yamamoto in the sixth, Ryuto Yamada defeating Suriya Kraimanee in the first, and Kazuma Aratake halting Kitidech Hirunsuk in the second round.
The night in Yokohama underscored the depth and talent present in professional boxing today. Edgar Nunez proved why he deserves recognition as a formidable force in the super featherweight division. His tactical acumen combined with physical superiority set a high standard for future opponents. Similarly, the supporting card reinforced the excitement surrounding emerging talents and established champions alike, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what lies ahead in the sport.