YOKOHAMA, Japan – Masanori Rikiishi has a tough task on his hands this Wednesday at the BUNTAI in Yokohama, Japan.
He will face the hard-hitting Eduardo “Sugar” Nunez for the vacant IBF junior lightweight title. Taking on Nunez, 27-1 (27 KOs), is a daunting task. In fact, Anthony Cacace recently chose to avoid fighting Nunez and vacate the IBF title in favor of a more lucrative contest with Leigh Wood.
Rikiishi, 16-1 (11 KOs), earned his shot with a victory over Michael Magnesi in Italy in March 2023. The Japanese fighter will now be fighting on home soil and is unfazed by Nunez’s impressive knockout ratio.
“In boxing, it's a win or lose game,” said Rikiishi. “I don't care about Nunez's high KO ratio as I believe in my victory. BoxRec rates me over Nunez, highly valuing my Magnesi win in Italy. I believe we, Nunez and me, are the top two in this division.”
Rikiishi is the younger brother of IBF flyweight champion Masamichi Yabuki. The two brothers could add their names to the list of Japanese siblings to hold world titles simultaneously on Wednesday.
“My brother Masamichi Yabuki is already world champion, Rikiishi said. “I just wish to follow his footsteps and win the world belt.”
Yabuki has won titles at both junior flyweight and flyweight. Rikiishi has looked tight at the 130lb weight limit and there has been talk of him weaving up to lightweight.
“Yes, I feel well in the super feather class,” he said. “I don't know about my future in multiple divisions but I'll do my best to win my first belt.”