Trash Nakanuma: The Relentless Japanese Flyweight Warrior
Masaki “Trash” Nakanuma was a Japanese flyweight who turned professional in 1993 and fought through 2006. His record includes a Japanese flyweight title win over Takefumi Sakata, a WBC title challenge against Pongsaklek Wonjongkam and a WBA title challenge against Lorenzo Parra.
Boxing career and major results
Nakanuma won the Japanese flyweight title by defeating Takefumi Sakata on April 30, 2002. Sakata regained the championship in their rematch on April 5, 2003, so Nakanuma did not reclaim it. The two title fights mark their documented Japanese championship contests.
On January 3, 2004, Nakanuma challenged WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in Yokohama. The champion won a unanimous decision after 12 rounds. Contemporary coverage described Nakanuma as a former Japanese titleholder known for counterpunching and right hands.
Nakanuma later challenged Venezuela’s Lorenzo Parra for the WBA flyweight title on January 3, 2005, and lost by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. Parra was a Venezuelan world champion. Nakanuma’s career also included a close points loss to Noriyuki Komatsu in 2003.
Nakanuma’s title results provide the clearest measure of his career: he won a national championship, later challenged two reigning world champions, and lost both world title bouts by decision.
Sources
Sources: BoxRec record; Asian Boxing coverage.
Career records and reporting: boxrec.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
