How the Kickboxing GOAT Rebounded From Floyd Mayweather Loss to Rise in Boxing

For Nasukawa in particular, this opportunity is the culmination of a long journey. 

The 27-year-old phenom made his name as one of (if not the) greatest kickboxers to ever compete in the sport.

Watch his explosive highlight reel here:

His lone professional loss came against none other than Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a 2018 exhibition boxing bout, which ended in the first round. Nasuakwa was still competing in kickboxing at the time, and, while technically not a loss on his boxing or professional records, the lopsided nature of the fight became a defining moment in his career.

Watch their exhibition fight here:

After ending his kickboxing career with a flawless 42-0 record, Nasukawa fully transitioned to professional boxing, where his reflexes, precision, and creativity carried over.

Instead of letting the Mayweather loss haunt him, he used it as motivation to sharpen his skills and rebuild his confidence. Since switching over to boxing, Nasukawa has quickly climbed the rankings, amassing a 7-0 record and winning the WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title in the process, all while establishing himself as a must-watch figure in Japan’s boxing scene. 

Across the ring, Takuma Inoue brings his own pedigree and hunger. As the younger brother of pound-for-pound superstar Naoya Inoue, Takuma has long been regarded as one of Japan’s brightest prospects. 

He’s had to carve his identity under the shadow of his brother’s dominance, but his steady climb through the bantamweight ranks has proven his toughness and technical skill. 

Unlike Tenshin, Takuma has lost twice in his professional career, including his most recent outing against fellow countryman Seiya Tsutsumi, in which he failed to defend his WBA bantamweight title.

Now, with a vacant world title on the line, Takuma has the chance to rebound from his loss and step into the spotlight in his own right if he wins against a superstar like Nasukawa.

The WBC has ordered both fighters to enter negotiations, with a purse bid held on Oct. 21 if they are unable to reach an agreement. Nasukawa and Inoue are significant draws in their home country of Japan, and are expected to command major audiences domestically. The stakes surrounding Nakatani’s vacant belts only add more intensity to this matchup.

In the bigger picture, this fight symbolizes the next chapter for Japanese boxing. Nakatani moving up in weight to fight Naoya Inoue may have created the opportunity, but it’s Tenshin Nasukawa and Takuma Inoue who will decide who seizes the division's throne.