Top-ranked International Boxing Federation bantamweight Ryosuke Nishida of Muto Boxing Gym will challenge Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico for the latter’s title on May 4 in Osaka, Nishida told reporters at the gym on Feb. 27.

  The scheduled 12-rounder will be held at EDION Arena Osaka under the auspices of Kameda Promotion Co.

  The 27-year-old Nishida decisioned sixth-ranked Christian Medina of Mexico last August in Osaka in an elimination bout for the IBF title.

  The 31-year-old Rodriguez decisioned Melving Lopez of Nicaragua last August to become the IBF world bantamweight champion for the second time. Kameda Promotion made a successful bid for promoting the Lopez-Nishida title fight in a purse bid held online late last month.

  The left-handed Nishida, who fought as an amateur during his high school and university days, is undefeated in his eight professional bouts, one by knockout.

For his part, Rodriguez has a 22-2 win-loss tally with one no decision. He has 13 KOs. Rodriguez, who is making his first title defense, was knocked out by Naoya ‘’The Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym in Glasgow in May 2019 in the semifinals of the World Boxing Super Series.

Nishida said, ‘’I appreciate for making possible the world title fight in my hometown of Osaka. While the champion has excellent speed and technique and is good at throwing counter punches, I will try not to get back so that I can pile up points.’’