Eduardo “Sugar” Núñez and Masanori Rikiishi are officially set to square off in Yokohama, Japan live on DAZN.
Núñez (27‑1, 27 KOs) last time in the ring detonated Miguel Marriaga inside six at Carson’s “War Grounds” to extend his knockout streak to 17. Attempts to cash that status against Belfast’s Anthony Cacace collapsed amid injuries and prolonged negotiations; Cacace relinquished the belt, clearing the way for a fresh pairing.
Rikiishi (16‑1, 11 KOs) has been on his own tear since a split‑decision loss in his third pro fight, reeling off 13 wins, the last five by stoppage. The Yokohama southpaw punched his ticket with a dramatic 12th‑round knockout of Michael Magnesi on the Italian’s home turf in March 2024, rallying from three points down on all cards, then stayed busy with a two‑round blow‑out in Tokyo.
Núñez, 26, is ranked No. 7 by The Ring and is co‑promoted by Matchroom and Clase y Talento; Rikiishi, 29, is backed by Kadoebi Gym and World of Boxing. Both camps favour a neutral venue to maximise global rights - DAZN in the US and Abema in Japan are early front‑runners - but will take the bout to purse bid if terms stall.
The winner becomes the division’s fourth major title‑holder alongside WBO champion Emanuel Navarrete, WBC titlist O’Shaquie Foster and WBA belt‑holder Lamont Roach.
Fight card:
▪️Eduardo Nunez vs. Masanori Rikiishi, 12 rounds, for the vacant IBF world super featherweight title
▪️Yoshiki Takei vs. Yuttapong Tongdee, 12 rounds, for Takei’s WBO world bantamweight title
▪️Tsubasa Narai vs. Yuna Hara, 10 rounds, for the Japanese super featherweight title
▪️Ryu Isogane vs. Tomoya Yamamoto, 8 rounds, light flyweight
▪️Kazuma Aratake vs. TBA, 6 rounds, light flyweight
