Tenshin Nasukawa, the kickboxer flattened by Floyd Mayweather when giving away thirty pounds in weight, is now 4-0 as a boxer.
The Japanese former combat champion, who holds a record of 44-0 in his alternative sport, cracked Jonathan Rodriguez several times in the head before getting the job done in three. The victory was Tenshin’s second straight stoppage, which will move him up in the WBC bantamweight rankings.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman had already positioned Tenshin for a voluntary title shot after his third win. The Mexican figurehead was ringside to witness Tenshin this time and was impressed with what he saw.
“It’s been a long time since I have been so impressed by a fighter. Tenshin Nasukawa is for real,” said Sulaiman, who also praised the event headliner.
“Bantamweight is one of the greatest divisions. Japan tops the WBC list with eight champions, including current sensation Junto Nakatani,” he added.
Nakatani moved to 28-0 with a triumph over Vincent Astrolabio in the first round. Defending his WBC bantamweight title, Nakatani smashed Astrolabio with a straight body shot that gave a delayed reaction. Astrolabio then crumpled to the floor and couldn’t make the ten count.
Tenshin was dropped three times by Mayweather in 2018 but has since recovered to win every bout in kickboxing and boxing. If deemed ready enough for the test at this stage of his career, he could face Nakatani soon.
WOW! A sickener. #nakataniastrolabio
🎥 @trboxing
pic.twitter.com/3Hsc6sNfBS— World Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) July 20, 2024
Also on the bill at Kokugikan, Anthony Olascuaga shocked Riku Kano to win the vacant WBO flyweight title. Olascuaga moved to 7-1 by stoppage Kano in the third session of a knockout night in Japan.
Finally, making his debut at super middleweight, Issei Aramoto took out Mongontsooj Nandinerdene in the final round of six.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
