Popular kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa may become a professional boxer in the not too distant future, according to sources close to the 22-year-old fighter, popularly known as ‘’a child prodigy.’’

Nasukawa hinted this in a popular television program aired in early December as he said, ‘’I will not do kickboxing more than 10 fights from now.

Rumors have been circulating ever since Nasukawa ‘’fought’’ a three-round exhibition with legendary former five-division world boxing champion Floyd Mayweather of the United States in Japan on Dec. 31, 2018 in accordance with boxing rules.

Although Nasukawa, physically much smaller than Mayweather, suffered a technical knockout 2 minutes and 19 seconds into the opening round, Nasukawa’s straight left from his southpaw style grazed the American’s head when the latter attempted a straight right.

Mayweather, who had appeared to be fighting casually until then as he was wearing a smile all the time, became suddenly serious and swarmed all over Nasukawa and knocked him down three times, forcing Nasukawa’s cornerman to throw a towel into the ring.

Nasukawa’s straight left amazed not only Mayweather but also many Japanese boxing experts as throwing that kind smooth straight left against Mayweather of all boxers was not expecting of Nasukawa, which made it abundantly clear that Nasukawa has a good chance of becoming a talented boxer just like he is a very talented kickboxer.

It is a known fact that Nasukawa, who owns various titles in the kickboxing world as he is undefeated after fighting more than 40 bouts as a kickboxer, has been learning various boxing techniques from a famous boxing trainer in Tokyo.

Also, the fact that former K-1 WORLD GP super bantamweight champion Yoshiki Takei will become a professional boxer from Ohashi Boxing Gym, to which Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue belongs, earlier next year seems to have abetted Nasukawa’s desire to turn a professional boxer earlier than originally scheduled.
The 24-year-old Takei is expected to take a test to become a professional boxer in January 2021 and is likely to make a debut in March that year.

Nasukawa’s normal fighting weight as a kickboxer is around 55 kgs (about 122 lb), which almost corresponds to boxing’s super bantamweight, whose weight limit is 55.34 kgs.
The Japanese boxing world badly wants a new star besides the 27-year-old Inoue in order to boost the sport’s popularity.

True there is no comparison between Inoue and Nasukawa in boxing on all fronts right now. But considering Nasukawa’s young age and his being a quick learner, who knows he may catch up with Inoue in these respects although they would not face in the ring, boxing sources said.

If and when Nasukawa takes a test for a pro boxer, it is likely for him to be allowed to take a class B test (a boxer who can make his debut as a six-rounder instead of a normal bour-rounder).

It so happens that Nasukawa attended a press conference on Dec. 21, at which all the participants in the RIZIN 26 at Saitama Super Arena on Dec. 31 were announced, including Nasukawa.

‘’There is not much time left for me to continue ‘’kicking.’’ So, I really hope (kickboxing) fans to enjoy and remember Tenshin Nasukawa’s kicks,’’ Nasukawa was quoted as saying at the press conference.

By Masaya Kokubu (free writer)