Ryosuke Nishida is set to join his more celebrated countrymen at a new weight.

The former IBF 118lbs titlist confirmed that he will now campaign in the junior featherweight division. Nishida’s first official fight at the higher weight will come against Bryan Mercado in an IBF title eliminator on February 15 at Sumiyoshi Sports Center in his hometown of Osaka, Japan.

News of the event was revealed during a press conference held on Thursday.

“I will do my best to become world champion once again,” Nishida told reporters during the intimate setting, as he was joined by head trainer Kosuke Takeichi.

Mercado 32-1 (26 KOs) – who was not present for the session given the logistics – represents a bold first step at a new weight for Nishida. The 30-year-old knockout artist from Mexico City has stopped 11 of his past 12 opponents, and has won 31 straight starts since a split decision defeat in just his second pro bout.

He is fresh off an 8^th round stoppage win on November 8 in Puebla and will now travel abroad for the first time as a pro.

The bout will be the first for Nishida, 10-1 (2 KOs) since his lone career defeat – a 6^th round stoppage to Junto Nakatani in their June 8 IBF/WBO 118lbs unification bout at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan. Nishida’s IBF title reign came to an end after 15 months, which dated back to his 12-round, unanimous decision victory over Emmanuel Rodriguez last May 4 at EDION Arena in Osaka.

Just one successful defense came of his run, a 7^th round knockout of unbeaten Thai challenger Anuchai Donsua last December 15 at the very arena that will house his next contest.

It was clear heading into the fight with Nakatani that Nishida was bound to move up in weight, regardless of the outcome. The same was said for Nakatani, 31-0 (24 KOs) whose own 122lbs debut also comes against a rugged Mexican contender in Sebastian Hernandez, 20-0 (18 KOs), on December 27 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The same show will see Naoya Inoue, 31-0 (28 KOs) risk his undisputed 122lbs championship against unbeaten Mexican challenger Alan David Picasso, 32-0-1 (17 KOs). Wins by Inoue and Nakatani will then set up a blockbuster showdown next May at the Tokyo Dome.

Nishida hopes to get the winner of the bout, hence the decision to head straight into a title eliminator. Nakatani is already the No. 1 contender with the WBA, WBC and WBO. He is also the highest rated IBF challenger (No. 3) but obviously unavailable to fight an eliminator.

Original plans called for Nishida – No. 8 with the IBF – to next face former 115lbs titlist Jerwin Ancajas (No. 5), who opted to not move forward with the fight for undisclosed reasons.

Mercado is presently one spot below Ancajas and the highest-rated available challenger for the occasion, thus Nishida’s choice for this assignment.

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.

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