Matcha Nakagawa Beats Hiroki Hanabusa by Majority Decision
Matcha Nakagawa earned a majority decision over Hiroki Hanabusa in their eight-round rematch on May 24, 2025, at Yamato Arena in Osaka. Two judges scored the bout 76–75 for Nakagawa, while the third gave Hanabusa a 76–75 card. The close verdict settled a rematch between the Japanese featherweights after their earlier meeting had ended in a draw.
A close eight-round rematch
The rematch was part of the 3150×LUSHBOMU vol. 6 card, promoted in Osaka on the same date as the Angelo Leo–Tomoki Kameda main event. Nakagawa and Hanabusa were scheduled for eight rounds at featherweight. Their first professional contest, in March 2024, had been recorded as a draw, making this bout a chance for one fighter to edge ahead in their series.
This was an eight-round contest. The official score totals show how narrow the difference was: two cards had Nakagawa ahead by one point, and the remaining card had Hanabusa ahead by one. That spread reflects a fight in which a single round could materially affect the outcome.
Nakagawa takes the decision
The 2–1 scorecard split produced a majority decision for Nakagawa. The result adds a win to his record and gives him the advantage in the rematch, while Hanabusa leaves with a narrow loss rather than a decisive defeat. The cards reflect a close bout.
Nakagawa, known as “Matcha,” has boxed extensively in Japan and entered the bout with more professional experience. Hanabusa had the opportunity to reverse their earlier draw, but the judges ultimately favored Nakagawa in two rounds by the smallest available margin. The verdict keeps the rivalry relevant while leaving room for both fighters to continue developing their careers.
A result on a busy Osaka card
The bout formed part of a wider boxing event that also featured Taduran–Shigeoka and the IBF junior featherweight title contest between Leo and Kameda. For Nakagawa and Hanabusa, however, the key takeaway was their own close decision: eight rounds, three narrow scorecards, and a majority verdict for Nakagawa.
With the series now moving from a draw to a Nakagawa win, the result provides a clearer comparison between the two fighters without overstating what the scorecards show. Any next-step plans will depend on future matchmaking and announcements from the fighters’ teams or promoter.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
