Nishida - New IBF Champion

27-year-old Japanese boxer Ryosuke Nishida (9-0, 1 KO) is the new IBF bantamweight champion (up to 53.2 kg). In the championship fight held on May 4 in Osaka, Japan, he defeated Puerto Rican Emmanuel Rodriguez (22-3, 13 KOs).

The fight went the full 12 rounds. The judges unanimously gave the victory to Nishida: 115-112 twice and 117-110.

This was Ryosuke's first fight in 2024 and his eighth consecutive victory by decision. Rodriguez won the IBF belt in the summer of 2023. This was his first title defense. In 2019, Emmanuel faced Naoya Inoue in the World Boxing Super Series - losing by knockout in the second round.