BRUTAL CLASH! Masanori Rikiishi (Japan) vs Eduardo Nunez (Mexico) | Boxing Fight Highlights

The moment has finally arrived. The vacant IBF World Super Featherweight Championship is up for grabs. Eduardo Sugar Nunez of Mexico in the black trunks. Masanori Rikishi in the white. These two can fang a bit. They'll take their time. They don't rush their work. But once they start going... Masanori Rikishi. It's going to be important for him if he can use that wide stance, just to lean back but still stay on balance. Height differential between the two. Nunez earlier buries a pocket rocket. He's certainly that. He's back for the Super Featherweight Championship. That's where all the power comes from. Rather of not have defended the IBF title against this man, Nunez has got to get out of this one. Rikishi, but he was off balance Nunez when he landed with that chop. That's just the natural weight he has in his hands. Good from Rikishi there. Good feet. Needs to use that reach to his advantage and get out. His hands back faster than they go out. Started that with a right hand. There from Rikishi. Body too close when he throws after Rikishi. A few seconds of the round. Again a good right hand body than head though. Good uppercut there from Rikishi to finish the round. Into the second and for Eduardo Nunez. He's had to go in a fighter's own backyard. Shavkat Rakamov dispatched of in. Here he is in Japan taking on Masanori Rikishi. Nunez, I think, from Rikishi. Closer distance, a bit quicker, a bit longer. Rikishi stumbling back with that right hand. Trying to follow it up. Caught a couple of trying to stay out of range. Cuffing right hand over the top. Certainly looks like he studied intently. And that's where a few fighters are a bit more dry with Nunez. But he has much trouble with southpaws either. Three of his last five. Rikishi again there just moving around. Brings that right foot forward. That's a mistake. He can get away with making that mistake. And then to close the distance a bit there. He can do that. It's highlight reel knockouts. Coming towards you. The last thing you think about doing. Shots in this round. Uppercut there but just out of range. A strong second round for the Japanese fighter. He's not really pulling the trigger quick enough. And even then his hands go as freely as he should. So I think I agree with you. Rikishi had a good second round there. One of the big keys to victory for the Japanese was to keep Nunez off. And keep himself out of range. In the first two rounds. And not many have had much joy have they? 28 of his victories coming by way of stoppage. You've got to take him apart. He's the perfect example of that. Short. Very short. But his shadow is so big. That he puts you under pressure. Perhaps that is why he's had so many stoppages. Opponents feel they can get him. And that's all she wrote. But Rikishi on the move. Direction as well. Going in the wrong route. Back to your right hand side there. Good work. Making Nunez. But I changed the lessons. I'm going to do that. It makes it happen. He's having to put an awful lot of work in here. If you train for it. It's a little bit easier. It almost doesn't drain your tank. The other things do. Good shot. Got himself out. I think for Nunez coming back. Double that jab that pulls that distance. This is one of the last rounds for Rikishi. Nunez just taking too long to get to the target. That eight so effectively. A little bit slower. He won't panic though, will he? Some of that body work might come in handy later as he gets a left hand. A good solid end to the round for the Japanese which draws the appreciation of this home crowd. When you glance down Nunez's record. 18 wins inside. Three rounds. 14 wins inside. You'll be seeing this as a mini victory. Does it suit Rikishi more the longer it goes? It's difficult. The man who just stops people for fun. It depends on the form. Put a few question marks around Rikishi. Nunez keeps that power late. He has a good engine. It's better than getting stopped early obviously. You're still not in a safe place. Just a danger. Rikishi on the move. So much balance. If he catches one of these Nunez shots. Trying to dig down those feet. Plant them and fire the shots. That little left hook. His favourite combo. Left to the body and a left uppercut. A lovely shot there from Nunez. The lever as he gets into these punches. Down over the top. Helping with the momentum coming forward. A good change of tact here from Nunez. Now he's stalking Rikishi rather than chasing it. Counter there. But I think he knows he's going to have to take a few. You can hold it. It's so large you can't get your arms on there. That's the truth. He gets out of those clutches then. Fizz is in a shot. Get that left to the body working. There's an uppercut there from Nunez. He chose the hook on the block. Next on that one. Rikishi tries the right uppercut right at the end of the round. But as ever. You get a fight. Good round there from Nunez. Pulls that distance quick. Will he let his hands go? He did. Hands up nice and high as well. Looking to block and counter when he could. It's going to be a hard night here for Rikishi. But it will. Hard to believe he took up boxing because he was being stolen. Can you imagine bullying that guy? As he wicks another left hand in. And Rikishi just backed up on Snout. Not of his own choice. Throw as you can go overall. With the same ease he could in the first three rounds. He just said, listen, get closer. Get closer, get closer quicker. Three or four unanswered shots there from Nunez. Rikishi's right around the back of the elbow as well. You can feel how much body shots as well there is. That is going to slow the pace of Rikishi. Where he's able to move with ease as his head snapped back there. Nunez seemed to go through the gears. That combination of the body. Then the corkscrew uppercut. No respite here is there from Rikishi at all. He's on him. He really is not throwing Nunez. He's on him all the time now. Nunez starting to slip through the gears now. Can't afford to stand close and trade. And at times it's not a trade. It's Nunez teeing off. Three or four unanswered. One in the body which just had Rikishi. Feeding another left. Dug in with purpose. This is solid stuff from Nunez now. So he takes a good shot Rikishi. But he's had to hasn't he? Look at this. Lovely left hook there from Nunez. Turning his body with every punch. There's a few signs of stress now for Rikishi. He starts to go up. And this is a better response from the Japanese. And he needed that flurry. I think that feels right. So he's pushing back on his heels for sure. The hope is it hasn't angered him. Good shot again there from Rikishi. Both men opening up at the end of the fifth. You've got to give Rikishi so much credit. Because that was a hard round for him. And then all of a sudden he's had to fight it back. Nunez picking his shots really well there. And even though they look like they're arm punches for him. Arm punches and full-blooded shots. They really are. Just see the return to that left hook over the top there. He turns that body for that shot so beautifully. It was just wrong right here. Crowd energised by the finish to the fifth round. It was noticeable in a couple of those shots. The reddening Nunez is continually punishing him. One looks a little bit low there. But it's another significant body blow. Great timing from the Japanese. But he needs a few more of those. Looking a little bit more in control Nunez here. As he did in the sort of first and second round. But Nunez when he comes forward now. He's starting to pin him in. Those three different shots there. A straight shot to hooks. Seen with that right hand. Barrage of blows as Rikishi just drops out. I think he felt that body shot. A grimace combined with a smile. Right uppercut straight right over the top. And then left hook to finish. It's the body shot from Rikishi which started this. And has just stemmed the flow. Heads are coming close together. I think they're going to continue to. Univised punching with Rikishi having a go. And it's working for him at times. In there might not be the best tactic. Good body shot again there from Rikishi. Good right hand back to Nunez. Good fight isn't it? It's so far been a great fight. Anything less. The latest in a long line of brilliant Mexico versus Japan. It's last May. We saw Naoya Inoue. Some similar fireworks. Neither man's gone down yet. But I tell you what. They won't be able to take too many more shots like those that they've seen through the first six here. And a good body shot. None of his shots should really be making more of an effect against Rikishi. But Rikishi's showing. We knew he had a good chin. But showing a really good resolve here. To not only absorb the pressure. But to fire back with quality of his own. Under pressure always. The longer it goes. The more maybe Rikishi will nez. But he's still very much standing. A few shots. But there'll be no panic. No danger. He doesn't even look for a rest, does he? When he gets caught in the shots. He looks to fire back. And did get whipped back there by that right hand. Always looks a little bit more dramatic when you're the taller fighter. There. And this is a tricky moment for Rikishi as Nunez. Once again starts to unload. He's being about. Without riposte. Levery work there from Nunez. Right hand on the pod. Going to be a livery as well. Just before he comes over the top. Difficult to predict where the next one's coming from. From Nunez. And that's what makes him so dangerous. And I think Nunez has power. Equal power in either hand. Crosses better than the left hook. But with him, I think he's... The balance is perfect. He's weak to neither shot. Left hook to the body. Enough to bring the breakfast up. It's from everywhere. And that's what makes it so difficult for Rikishi. He doesn't know where to defend. Not the fight he needs to be in. No where near. But winning this battle for sure. But look at the fire back. There's that right uppercut now. And then the cross as well. It's a work ethic here from Nunez. Head down. Full steam ahead from Nunez. He's a big puncher. He's good always looking to knock you out. Because that's what's happening. He's a guy who has real self-belief. I just keep working away. Chipping away. That means he's going to be busy. Every second of every round. Nice one-two there from Rikishi. But just not quite as full as it was earlier. Which is understandable. Rikishi trying to leave a lasting impression though. In the final couple of seconds of it. And that was important for him. Just from a personal point of view. And I think he's thinking I can block and conquer. Like I have been doing. But he hasn't been winning most of the rounds. That's the truth. Even if he's been competitive and won a couple. But this round was a big round here for Nunez. Without really rocking Rikishi. He kept him at bay. It's more smarting him than you give him credit for. He's such a powerful man. He pins you into those rugs. And as you say drops that shoulder. This entire fight Rikishi has shown plenty. It's the 8th round. Scheduled for 12. Oh and a little stumble there from Nunez. Just off balance. Always a danger with the southpaw. But the feet can get tangled. It's like the pitchers from Nunez gets too close. You've got to try and do it. You've got to pick up the points before he gets you. And then cover it up. He's that high. Can't afford to take too stiff a jab from Nunez. But you know Nunez is going to close the distances. And Everglades too strong to hold back. But then when he gets close. Then you have to try and tuck up. And hook the ring. Use that long reach again. And just reset. Go again. And as he did in those early rounds here. Rikishi. On his bike. On the move. Making himself a difficult target. In your brain it will get you. You're flowing. You hold your feet for a couple of rounds. And get back on your bike again. That physically is difficult to do. And a couple of times when he's got in close. And got into an exchange. He's had to fight. He seems to enjoy it as well. The right hand there from Nunez. Just won't go away will he? And that's the thing. And he has had as many stoppages late. As you mentioned. He carries that power into the later rounds. That's where he's always brilliant. You could argue even. If he took his time a little more. He'd be a bigger puncher. He'd be more solid. Good work from Rikishi. Yeah. Lovely. Keeps the crowd on side as well. Solid end to the round. Both men stay in exchange. A couple of words. Yeah. That was a good shot there. Take a bit of a response there from Nunez. Those body shots. You've got to be slowing your legs down at some point. That is the worry for Rikishi. When he's had a couple of moments. They've been followed by Nunez. Unloading the tank. It's nice that we didn't expect this. Let's be honest. You know what you're going to. Like I said. But Nunez. He surprises. Unless you think he's as strong as he looks. Yeah. He's not a man of instinctive power. No means to criticise Anthony Kakache. But if he's decided not to take Nunez. Because he's seen this and thought. There's an argument though. Once you're in the World Cup. You shouldn't. You know. You shouldn't turn on any challenge. But. I think for him. And for his age. And to be in the big money. I think that was the. That was the reason. I don't think he's peak anymore. He had to do the right thing. And he never thought Kakache. Nor maybe the boxing. You know what I'm saying. Nunez. A man around seven years. He's junior as well. Eddie Hearn's been talking up. A patent with Ray Ford. If he comes through this one. I think Ray Ford. Fantastic move. To the penalty. I think it suited him as well. But to set up. Those potential fights. Got. To get through this. And it's going to be easier said than done. Because Rikishi. Is well in the battle here. Just taking the sting out. Of some of these. Heavy shots. And as we've seen. On a few of the replays. Nunez is punching. Through that guard. Quite well as well. Nunez. When you're looking to slide off the ropes. Rikishi just throws an arm. Or catches you on the move. And doesn't waste. Any opportunity. To get a shot through. That's what's been. The impressive thing. The head about. Of Rikishi there. That right hand. After softening up the body. With a left hook. Really good rounds here. For Nunez. Rikishi trying to. Push him off. But. It's easier said than done. Good left hand there. There Rikishi. Nice long straight left hand. On the middle. Oh. Nunez. In close. And doing desperately. Tries to fend off the Mexican. At the end. I think Nunez. Came up with a bit of intent there. I think his work ethic. Is just. Unbelievable. For the guy who's. Looking to unload. Heavy shots. For every punch. All in. To the 10th. Barry. How do you see it so far? As a right hand. From Nunez. Goes over the top. Might not need a scorecard. At this rate. That was a big shot. From Nunez. Rikishi. Has really been stumbled. And there's a long. Long way. To go. In this round now. The right hand. Is well left. He's already. Up on the scorecards. For me. He won't be happy. With that. Fudding. Right hand. Again. As Nunez. Finds his way. And that's the worst thing. Nunez is on your case. Anyway. But if you show. You're tired. Or hurt. Then. You win. Rikishi. Needed a second win. Decided. This. Is where. We start. To take it away. Comes around the side. See there. The right hand. On the top. Left hook. To the middle. But there's straight down. An uppercut. This is impressive stuff. From Nunez. Forcing Rikishi. Back to the corner. Manages to shut. The Mexican off. Nice shot. Left hook there. From Nunez. Rikishi. Is thinking about. Getting into a firefight. Now. Has one into the body. Rikishi. But doesn't really. Have much of an effect. Nunez. The other hand though. A left. Another right there. Straight through. Good shot. Rikishi there. Really could work. But. Under the cost. No effect. He's walked forward. Yeah. Self preservation. Both shots. I think to just keep Nunez off. But it's Nunez who keeps. Walking him down. Happy to come through. These. Attacks now. Can't just non-stop. Isn't it for Nunez? The energy on the mound. It is relentless. Sometimes I'm not in favor. Of the CompuBox stats. But this is the kind of fight. You'd love to see. Them. With power shots. Thrown. By Nunez. And those are the landed. Rikishi backed up. Onto the ropes. And keep Nunez off. But it's an impossible task. At the moment. Very good chin there. Rikishi going to get caught. With the right hand. As he was throwing. And another right hand. Got through there. It was preluded. By the left. As those. Body shots. Go in again. And Rikishi. Getting worked down. At the end of the round. A punishing attempt. It's more comfortable for you. Obviously. But I mean. You could see. It looked like. You could do it. Breathe. It's hard. But you're regularly breathing. But that was another hard round. The round before was hard. And you mentioned that. When Nunez. Got the job done. In the 11th. Having. Barrage in the 10th. And that's what happened here. To know. What Rikishi can do. To have some success. Left uppercut. Just glanced. I think though. Luckily. And the more tired you are. The more effective you are. Rapid fire. From Nunez again. There's nowhere to go. He's got to get away. From those. Roundhouse right. May well have ended it early. Round at least. The 11th here. Scheduled for 12. Will we see. The final bell. He must be thinking. I just do enough shots here. To start waltzing. Get some movement. Back in those legs. Trying to keep on the move. This is very wildly. With the uppercut. Nunez. Just taking his time here. He's actually. Just following Rikishi. A few too many. Of Rikishi's shots. I think he's in. With that one big punch. To start the. The unraveling here. Which is not. Going to happen. Anyway. Trying to slow down. This movement. ------- away. Every. Punch in the book. Trading. At the end of the 11th. Round. We will go. Into a final. Decider. I mean. For another fight. Do you think. The work was done. For Nunez. I think. He's going to think. The end of the. Contest. On the shield. As they say. Take that risk. Defeat. Against Eduardo. Sugar Nunez. Rikishi. Has. Seated out his name. To that list. Stop. Nunez. In this last round. He probably has to. If he's to take. This vacant title. Uppercut. Again. You got. He takes. A good shot. As Rikishi did. We knew that. Before. This contest. I made this contest. On paper. Says. Both guys. With good. Chins. Win with. Both with decent. Offense. Power. So far. We've. Mentioned. Before. The power. That Nunez. Can take. Into the later rounds. He gets round. With a right hook. Of his own. And getting. A little bit. Of joy. In a. Ovation. From this home crowd. Great. Real fun. Rikishi. Nunez. Is going to keep the pressure. Now. For that. This is usually. One of those things. That would. Die. Quite quick. Kind of. Adrenaline rush. When you're. 30. And then you'll. Go back. Tire fighter. Get back to zero. Quite quick. With that. And Rikishi knows. That he. Needs a stoppage. And he's going to go out. On his shield here. The worry is. Take him out. Because of that. Left hook there. From Nunez. And a right. Rikishi. Visibly. Tired. But. Biting down. On the gum shield. And giving it. A right go. In this 12. Not quite. The snap. Any shots. That there were. Earlier. For Nunez. Though. It's a different story. As he starts. To walk forward. Again. They're going to go out. Firing here. It just doesn't. Give you a second. You need. On you all the time. You need. Time to retreat. You find that last. Little shot there. To hit you on the move. Absolutely. Not the mixture. Of body. And head shots. Kishi. Desperately. Trying to see. Probably deserves to. Nunez gets through. With a right hand. Just in danger. Of smothering. Some of his work. Final. Seconds. Of an enthralling. Battle. As Eduardo Nunez. Goes for stoppage. Number 29. And a big right hand. To finish it with. Rikishi. We'll see. The final battle. Okey. Knows. Who's got this one. Should be. Eduardo Nunez. Is celebrating. A rueful look. From Rikishi. That he can be proud. Of the effort. He put in over. Those 12 rounds. And in the end. This man. Winner. By unanimous decision. IBF. Super featherweight. New. Champion. At. Red corner. Sugar. Eduardo Nunez. The taste. Of title triumph. All so sweet. For Eduardo. Sugar Nunez. Who becomes. The new. IBF. Super featherweight. Champion. Of the world. And puts. The rest. Of a highly. Competitive. Division. On notice.