YOKOHAMA, Japan – Eddie Hearn is already plotting Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez’s next moves after he today claimed the IBF junior lightweight title at the BUNTAI in Yokohama, Japan when Nunez, a man known for his ferocious knockout power, picked up the first points victory of his professional career. The now 28-1 (27 KOs) Mexican piled on the pressure for the full 12-round distance, but Rikiishi bravely fought through some sticky moments to see the final bell. The judges scored the contest unanimously in favor of Nunez by scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111.
“What a fight,” Hearn told BoxingScene. “I mean that's how you cut the ring off against anyone who's trying to box on the back foot, and by the way, I thought Rikishi was brilliantl. I don't see a lot of 130-pounders in the world that would beat Rikishi. Sugar [Nunez] did it, he nearly stopped him in the 10th. Fair play Rikishi, come back in the 12th. I thought the score was a lot wider [than it was]. I thought 117-111 was about right, 117-112. Brilliant competitive fight. This kid is one of the most exciting fighters on the planet. Always trying to knock out his opponent. He's going to be a superstar in Mexico.”
Nunez now holds the IBF strap he waited so long to fight for after former champion Anthony Cacace vacated in favor of a more lucrative offer with Leigh Wood rather than face his mandatory challenger. The Mexican now has options, but just how does Hearn build Nunez up to be a fighter that can draw a massive Mexican audience like his compatriot Canelo Alvarez?
“I box him on the biggest shows. Give him a homecoming. You box him in America on a big show,” Hearn said. “Obviously you've got Anthony Cacace who just called him out, which is the weirdest thing I've ever seen, but that's a fight. I mean Ray Ford, our other guy, probably that's the best fight in the division to make. He's got a huge future and he's just 27. So, nice and young and a very humble man. Really exciting.”
A fight between Nunez and Ford would be an easy one, and an ideal one, to make for Hearn as he promotes both fighters. He was asked when a contest between the pair would likely happen.
“He was due to get married, that's how we've got to put it on ice,” Hearn jokingly replied. “ I think we'll be fighting August, September. We've already talked about another fight with Ray [Ford] as well, but we'll have to see. There's a lot on the agenda. We love the unification with [WBO champion] Navarrete as well. Two Mexicans, would be an incredible fight. Massive win for him tonightcand a big win for us as well on DAZN. It's a great night in Japan.”