Eduardo Núñez Wins IBF Title Over Rikiishi
Eduardo Núñez won the vacant IBF junior lightweight title with a unanimous decision over Masanori Rikiishi on May 28, 2025. The 12-round bout took place at Yokohama Buntai in Japan. The judges scored it 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111 for Núñez, who became a world champion on the road against the hometown southpaw.
Núñez’s pressure earns a title-winning decision
The matchup pitted the aggressive Mexican contender against a technically skilled Japanese challenger in Rikiishi. Núñez pressed forward throughout the fight and worked to close distance, while Rikiishi used his reach and movement to counter and create openings. The exchanges were hard and competitive, but Núñez’s steady output and forward pressure were reflected in all three scorecards.
Rikiishi had moments where his southpaw counters and footwork interrupted the champion’s rhythm. Núñez continued to force exchanges and attack to the body and head, however, taking the fight into the later rounds without allowing the home fighter to control the pace for long. The result was not a knockout: Rikiishi went the full 12 rounds, and the judges’ decision settled the vacant belt.
Official scores and title context
The three official tallies—115-113, 116-112 and 117-111—show one close card and two wider margins. That spread captures the competitive nature of the contest while confirming a unanimous verdict. The title was vacant, and the bout was a world championship fight at junior lightweight, also commonly called super featherweight or 130 pounds.
The win marked an important step for Núñez, whose power had made him a prominent contender in the division. BoxingScene reported that he had been waiting for his opportunity to fight for the belt after the title became available. Rikiishi entered the championship bout with strong momentum of his own, but came up short in his first world title challenge.
What the result means for the division
Núñez left Yokohama as the IBF champion and added a major road victory to his record. The decision also showed he could win a high-pressure championship fight over the distance, rather than relying solely on his knockout power. Rikiishi’s effort kept the contest competitive, even as Núñez’s work rate and physical pressure gradually shaped the fight.
The official result is clear: Núñez won by unanimous decision, with scores of 115-113, 116-112 and 117-111, to claim the vacant IBF junior lightweight championship.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
