ALREADY A SUPERSTAR IN JAPAN FROM HIS SUCCESS IN KICKBOXING AND MMA, TENSHIN NASUKAWA HAS NOW EMBRACED BOXING AND INTENDS TO PROVE HIMSELF AGAINST THE BEST IN THE SPORT By Daisuke Sugiura Fast-forward six and a half years and Nasukawa is now a pro boxer himself, unbeaten in seven fights and closing in on a world title bout. The quick-fisted southpaw has been fast- tracked successfully and has made improvements with every fight. He is rated No. 6 by The Ring at bantamweight and is currently the No. 1 challenger with the WBA and the WBC. It’s been a remarkable transformation for Nasukawa, who has the personality and confidence to match his talent and the ready-made stardom to drive ticket sales. If the young contender can continue on this path, then there are huge fights on the horizon, and, as you will soon discover, he won’t have to travel very far to make them happen. CROSSOVER HIT I n a 2018 exhibition bout, Tenshin Nasukawa got taken out inside a single round after three quick knockdowns at the hands of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Demolished in front of a passionate Japanese audience, the acclaimed kickboxing and MMA champion had never competed against a professional boxer before. He could have been forgiven for never putting on boxing gloves again.
Illustration by Chris Wormell
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