Nishida to take on Rodriguez for IBF bantam title in May

High-ranked Japanese boxer Ryosuke Nishida will face champion Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico for the Worldwide Boxing Federation’s bantamweight title on Might 4, his health club introduced Tuesday.

The 27-year-old southpaw Nishida might be making his world title debut at Edion Enviornment Osaka as he bids to increase his excellent document of eight straight wins, certainly one of which got here by knockout.

“This problem arrived at the very best timing,” Nishida, who made his skilled debut in 2019, mentioned throughout a information convention. “I completely need to win it and be the world champion.”

Rodriguez, 31, has a 22-2 document with 13 KOs.

“He has pace, method and is skillful,” Nishida mentioned of his opposition.

Nishida’s coach Kosuke Takeichi was bracing for a troublesome combat, describing Rodriguez as “a giant wall” and saying that Nishida “will take a split-decision win.”