The bantamweight division is full of top-tier talent. Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida looks to prove that when they compete for the IBF and WBC titles on June 8. The fight in Japan airs on ESPN+.
A multi-division world champion, Nakatani (30-0) won the WBC bantamweight title in 2024. “Big Bang” has defended the title three times and has 23 wins via knockout.
A victory enhances his already established legacy. It could also lead to a future clash against Naoya Inoue. First, he’s focused on holding more gold.
“I always wanted a unification fight and knew that once I could defeat [David] Cuellar, I could pursue it. That win made it easier for me. Cuellar had the right style, came forward, and gave me the opportunity to get the early knockout,” Nakatani said via the WBC.
“I’m very grateful and motivated by this unification. This opportunity is in front of me now, and it’s up to me to make the most of it.”
Nishida (10-0) won the IBF title against Emmanuel Rodriguez in 2024 and looks for his second successful defense of the belt. The 28-year-old only has two wins via knockout.
Top prospects look to continue their momentum on the undercard while a former kickboxing great returns to action.
Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida undercard
Here’s a breakdown of all the action on the Nakatani vs. Nishida card.
Tomoya Tsuboi vs. Van Thao Tran
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Tsuboi record: 1-0
- Tran record: 18-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Tomoya Tsuboi faces Van Thao Tran.
A 2021 World Championships gold medalist, Tsuboi (1-0) won three medals at the amateur level. The 29-year-old won his pro debut in March via TKO.
The first Vietnam boxer to win gold, Tran (18-1) is on a six-fight win streak. “The Trigger” has 10 wins via knockout.
Tenshin Nasukawa vs. Victor Santillan
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Nasukawa record: 6-0
- Santillan record: 14-1
- Belts at stake: N/A
Also on the card, Tenshin Nasukawa returns against Victor Satillan.
Nasukawa (6-0) is a former RISE 55 kg and RISE 57.5 kg kickboxing champion. He’s best known to boxing fans for his first-round defeat to Floyd Mayweather in a 2018 exhibition match. However, Nasukawa has looked impressive in the ring, beating former world champion Jason Moloney in February.
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A Pan American Games bronze medalist, Santillan (14-1) competes in Japan for the second time. The 29-year-old is 1-1 in his last two fights and has five wins via knockout.
Riku Masuda vs. Michell Banquez
- Division/Weight: Bantamweight
- Masuda record: 7-1
- Banquez record: 23-5
- Belts at stake: N/A
Finally, Riku Masuda faces Michell Banquez.
Masuda (7-1) is on a four-fight win streak. Holding local gold in Japan, he’s won all of his fights via knockout.
Banquez (23-5) is 3-1 in his last four fights. After losing his first fight of 2025, the 34-year-old looks to halt Masuda’s momentum.
Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida tune-in info
- Date: Sunday, June 8
- Start time: 4:30 a.m. ET | 1:30 a.m. PT | 9:30 a.m. BST | 6:30 p.m. AEST
- Main event start tme (approx.): 7:30 a.m. ET | 4:30 a.m. PT | 12:30 p.m. BST | 9:30 p.m. AEST
- Location: Ariake Coliseum — Tokyo, Japan
- Live stream: ESPN+
Fight fans can watch Junto Nakatani vs. Ryosuke Nishida on ESPN+. For a limited time, new and eligible returning subscribers can get three months of ESPN+ for just $4.99 per month, a savings of more than 50% over the usual $11.99 monthly rate.
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