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Nunez claims the IBF super featherweight title as Takei delivers dominant first-round KO
Eduardo Nunez beat Masanori Rikiishi to claim the vacant IBF super featherweight title over twelve rounds in Yokohama earlier today.
This was followed by a first-round stoppage win for Yoshiki Takei to defend his WBO bantamweight title against Yuttapong Tongdee.
Here is a recap of the action on the world title double-header in Japan.
Eduardo Nunez vs Masanori Rikiishi
With Nunez’s record, 28-1 (27) of knocking out every opponent he has beaten previously, fireworks were inevitable for this fight, but it more than delivered on that promise.
From the opening bell, the Mexican set his intentions, immediately taking the front foot whilst Rikiishi, 16-2 (11), looked to be evasive and counter Nunez as he charged forward.
The first big shot that landed came in the first round as a right hand from Nunez threw Rikiishi’s head back. But the Japanese man connected with a couple of cuffing counter right hooks of his own.
Nunez used his pressure and volume punching to force his opponent to work hard to stay out of trouble in the opening rounds. Rikiishi managed to make Nunez miss with wild punches, but the new IBF champion was inching closer with each attempt.
Rikiishi struggled with the pace but was competitive in every round, landing an impressive flurry of punches to end the third.
But as the fight progressed and his feet slowed, Rikiishi found himself on the end of more and more vicious combinations to the head and body.
The early investment in the body from Nunez paid dividends as Rikiishi looked visibly tired, and the power in his punches was all but gone. This opened the door for Nunez to shift up a gear and land even more eye-catching work on the inside.
The highlight of the fight came in the opening of the tenth round when Nunez landed a perfectly timed overhand right to send Rikiishi tumbling to the ropes, pursued by an energised Nunez who saw an opportunity to end the fight early.
The Japanese fighter was in survival mode for the rest of the round, doing just enough to weather the storm and to get to the championship rounds.
But survival is not the way to win, and Rikiishi knew he had to get a stoppage to win the fight and gave everything to return fire against the relentless Nunez, but he could not match the work rate of the Mexican who was glued to his chest, landing hooks and right hands at will.
The final round was as frantic as the first and Nunez was just as explosive, trading blows with a desperate Rikiishi who did not have enough firepower to get the finish he needed.
Nunez picked up the unanimous decision win and the IBF super featherweight title, with the scorecards reading 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.
Yoshiki Takei vs Yuttapong Tongdee
Whilst Nunez’s win over Rikiishi was a drawn-out slog, the main event was over in a matter of minutes.
A bout between Yoshiki Takei and Yuttapong Tongdee had long been scheduled, with injuries curtailing previous dates for the fight. Takei came flying out the blocks, stunning Tongdee and delivering a first knockdown in the opening minute.
Tongdee managed to just about make the eight count, appearing dazed, something noticed by Takei as he quickly attacked his opponent on the restart. Downed once again, Tongdee was quicker to his feet, only to be sent to the canvas for a third time.
In better condition than after the first knockdown, the referee allowed the contest to continue until a flurry of Takei punches went unanswered by Tongdee, forcing a stoppage inside the first round.
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