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The world’s two best bantamweights are set to battle with two world title belts on the line. WBC champion Junto Nakatani will fight IBF king Ryosuke Nishida in a title unification tilt on Sunday, June 8, at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
Nakatani-Nishida headlines a bantamweight tripleheader streaming live and exclusively on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Unbeaten former kickboxing prodigy Tenshin Nasukawa (6-0, 2 KOs) takes on Victor Santillan (14-1, 5 KOs) in a 10-rounder, while 2021 World Championships gold medalist Tomoya Tsuboi (1-0, 1 KO) steps up against Vietnam’s Van Thao Tran (18-1, 10 KOs) in a 10-rounder for the WBO Asia Pacific strap.
Nakatani (30-0, 23 KOs) is a three-weight world champion and a consensus top 10-rated pound-for-pound fighter. Following a two-fight championship run at junior bantamweight that included the 2023 Knockout of the Year over Andrew Moloney, Nakatani made a splash in his bantamweight debut with his February 2024 knockout over Alexandro Santiago to win the WBC title. He stopped Vincent Astrolabio and Petch Sor Chitpattana to close out a banner 2024 before making his 2025 debut in February with a devastating third-round knockout over then-unbeaten Mexican standout David Cuellar.
Nishida (10-0, 2 KOs), a one-time high school amateur standout in Japan, turned pro in October 2019 with a first-round knockout. In his fourth pro fight, he won the WBO Asia Pacific regional title with a decision over former world champion Daigo Higa. Last May, he dethroned two-time champion Emmanuel Rodriguez by unanimous decision to capture the IBF title. Nishida made his first title defense in December with a seventh-round TKO over Thailand’s Anuchai Donsua.
Lenier Pero
Rising undefeated Cuban heavyweight Lenier Pero (11-0, 8 KOs) will take make his highly anticipated return to the ring after year long layoff on a thrilling fight night this Friday, April 18, 2025, when he faces Detrailous Webster (9-4, 5 KOs) in an 8-round heavyweight showdown at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando, Florida. The televised bout will be on the prelims to the WBA Continental North America Title clash between Kevin Brown (6-0, 3 KOs) and Esteuri Suero (14-2, 10 KOs), as part of a stacked card presented by Boxlab Promotions, broadcast live globally on DAZN.
This marks the first appearance since March of 2024 for Pero, who is co-promoted by Boxlab Promotions and Matchroom Boxing and currently holds the #5 ranking with the WBA. The hard-hitting southpaw is looking to make a definitive statement as he continues his march toward world title contention.
“It’s an honor to be showcased on DAZN in my first fight back from a long layoff, especially under such a powerful partnership between Boxlab and Matchroom,” said Pero, who now trains in Las Vegas with world renowned 2022 Ring Magazine and Sports Illustrated Trainer of the Year, Bob Santos. “The time is now to show the world what I’m capable of.”
His opponent, Detrailous Webster, brings grit, experience, and a no-nonsense attitude into the ring. Pero knows he can’t overlook the challenge. “Webster is a tough fighter who comes to win. I respect that—but I’ve been preparing to dominate every second of this fight,” added Pero. “My goal is to send a clear message to the rest of the heavyweight division that I’m ready for any challenge.”
Currently ranked #5 by the WBA, Pero sees Friday’s bout as a critical step toward the upper echelon of the heavyweight ranks. “A win here keeps me on track for a world title shot,” concluded Pero. “Every fight matters, especially now. I’m ready for anyone in the top five—this is just the beginning of my march to a world title.”
Boxlab Promotions President Amaury Piedra praised the synergy with Matchroom and emphasized Pero’s bright future in the sport. “We’re proud to be co-promoting Lenier Pero alongside Matchroom Boxing,” said Piedra. “This is a major moment in his career and part of a long-term plan to position him for a world title opportunity. Lenier is a special fighter, and fans will see why on April 18.”
