In the main event of “Prime Video Boxing 15” held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on the 11th, WBC No. 2 ranked Tenshin Nasukawa (Teiken) secured a ninth-round TKO victory over No. 1 ranked and former two-division world champion Juan Francisco Estrada (Mexico). The 12-round WBC bantamweight title eliminator saw Nasukawa successfully bounce back from his first professional defeat last November and secure mandatory challenger status for the WBC crown.
エストラーダを棄権に追いやり再起を果たした那須川㊧
Nasukawa utilized a diverse southpaw attack spearheaded by his speed and superior positioning to neutralize Estrada’s range throughout. The former WBA flyweight and WBC super-flyweight champion was systematically controlled before ultimately succumbing to the pressure.
Operating with measured footwork, Nasukawa circled to his left while centering his offense around left body uppercuts and straight lefts. By maintaining his preferred mid-to-long range, he denied Estrada any opportunity to establish an rhythm. Nasukawa’s right jab also served as a persistent nuisance, setting the stage for his power shots. While the former champion showed flashes of his veteran class—landing occasional straight rights and a left body-to-uppercut sequence—he could not overcome the visual impact of Nasukawa’s left hands, which caused significant swelling under Estrada’s right eye early on.
The scores at the end of the fourth round were tight, with two judges seeing it 38–38 and one scoring it 39–37 for Nasukawa. However, the momentum was already firmly with the Japanese fighter.
In the fifth, Nasukawa controlled the distance to stifle Estrada’s output, mixing his upstairs-downstairs attack with a right body hook set up by a left-hand feint. In the sixth, as Estrada increased his pressure, an accidental clash of heads during an exchange briefly halted the action. Upon the restart, Nasukawa immediately pressed the advantage with heavy shots. By the seventh, he landed a signature right uppercut off a feint and later rocked Estrada with a clean overhand left after successfully conditioning him to expect body blows.
Leading 77–75, 78–74, and 79–73 after eight rounds, Nasukawa intensified his assault in the ninth, breaking Estrada’s resolve. Following the round, Estrada retired in his corner. Promoter Eddie Hearn [Note: Source mentions “Hernandez,” likely referring to Matchroom or a representative] later revealed that Estrada had injured his left ribs two rounds prior, which prompted the withdrawal.
“I didn’t realize winning felt this good,” a visibly emotional Nasukawa stated post-fight. “I became stronger because of Estrada. For the first time, I felt fear before a fight, but I was supported by everyone around me.” Regaining his composure, he added, “I committed myself to working on my weaknesses to ensure victory regardless of the situation. A person can change this much in six months. I’m not perfect yet, but I think I showed a glimpse of what’s possible. I’ve earned my ticket for revenge, and I intend to take it.”
Nasukawa’s target is now the winner of the WBC bantamweight title clash between Takuma Inoue (Ohashi) and Kazuto Ioka (Shisei), scheduled for May 2nd at the Tokyo Dome.
Nasukawa (27) improves to 8-1 (3 KOs). Estrada (35), who appeared pensive following the defeat, falls to 45-5 (28 KOs).
