Kickboxer KO’d by Floyd Mayweather lands date for world title shot
The World Boxing Council has confirmed that Tenshin Nasukawa, once remembered for being floored by Floyd Mayweather in a Tokyo exhibition, will now get his first crack at a legitimate world boxing title.
In its latest ruling, the WBC ordered a bantamweight championship showdown between Tenshin Nasukawa (7-0, 2 KOs), the current number one contender, and Takuma Inoue (20-2, 5 KOs), ranked number two.
The pair will collide in an all-Japanese clash that carries intrigue well beyond national borders.
WBC orders bantamweight title clash
Initially, the sanctioning body set a negotiation window, warning purse bids would follow if no deal were struck. But powerhouse Ohashi Promotions wasted no time, stamping November 24 in Japan as the official fight date.
The belt became available after Junto Nakatani, one of Japan’s brightest young champions, vacated to pursue opportunities at the super bantamweight division. That decision blew the bantamweight division wide open — and Nasukawa vs. Inoue has emerged as the blockbuster answer.
A new chapter for Nasukawa
For Nasukawa, this is more than a title shot. It’s vindication. Once the golden boy of kickboxing, his 2018 mismatch with Mayweather cast doubt on whether he could ever thrive in the purest form of the sport. Seven fights and seven wins later, that doubt has evaporated. Nasukawa’s smooth adaptation — blending explosive timing with patience he lacked as a teenager — has accelerated him into world-class contention at breakneck pace.
Across the ring, Takuma Inoue will not settle for being overshadowed by his pound-for-pound brother, Naoya. Having fallen short in two world title bids, he now carries the weight of family legacy and personal redemption. This fight may be his last, best chance to carve out his own era at 118.
A collision that matters
Make no mistake: this is not just a domestic showdown. Japan has dominated the bantamweight scene for years, and the winner will instantly hold leverage on a global stage, with the potential to unify against champions from the US, UK, and beyond.
With Nasukawa’s crossover stardom and Inoue’s relentless pursuit of validation, November 24 promises to be more than a title fight — it’s a collision of ambition, pride, and the future direction of the bantamweight division.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.
