Ryusei Matsumoto Claims WBA Minimumweight Title
Ryusei Matsumoto’s rise in the minimumweight division continued with a controversial but commanding victory over Yuni Takada on September 14, 2025, at IG Arena in Nagoya, Japan. The bout ended in Round 5 after an accidental clash of heads left Takada unable to continue, resulting in a technical decision win for Matsumoto, who was ahead on all three scorecards at the time of stoppage.
Fast Start from the Southpaw Sensation
Matsumoto (7-0, 4 KOs) came out aggressive from the opening bell, fighting out of a southpaw stance and immediately establishing control with sharp straight lefts and right hooks. Takada (16-9-3, 6 KOs), riding an eight-fight win streak, struggled to match the pace and precision of the unbeaten Japanese prospect. By Round 2, Matsumoto was landing at will, mixing body shots with clean head strikes that kept Takada on the defensive.
Round 4: Momentum Builds Toward a Finish
The fourth round saw Matsumoto nearly score a knockdown, though referee Koji Tanaka ruled it a slip. Still, the damage was mounting. Matsumoto’s combinations were crisp, and his ring generalship was evident as he circled and cut angles, making Takada miss and pay. A stoppage seemed imminent as Takada absorbed punishment without offering much in return.
Round 5: Clash of Heads Ends the Night
At 1:26 of Round 5, the fighters collided heads during an exchange, sending Takada crashing to the canvas. He was unable to rise, and the bout was halted. Because the fight had passed the fourth round, it went to the scorecards. All three judges scored the bout for Matsumoto: 50-45, 50-45, and 50-46.
Takada was stretchered out and later taken to a nearby hospital. He regained consciousness and expressed interest in a rematch, telling reporters, “I want to fight him again when I’m fully recovered”.
A New Champion Emerges
With the win, Matsumoto claimed the WBA “world” minimumweight title, a secondary version of the belt currently held by lineal and WBA “super” champion Oscar Collazo. Promoter Ohashi Promotions praised Matsumoto’s performance, calling him “a future star in the division”.
Final Thoughts
Ryusei Matsumoto didn’t get the finish he was chasing, but he got the belt—and he earned it. His dominance over five rounds left little doubt about who was in control, and while the ending was unfortunate, the result was justified. For Takada, the loss is painful but not career-ending. For Matsumoto, it’s the beginning of a reign that could reshape the landscape at 105 pounds.
For full fight recap and medical updates, visit BoxingScene’s coverage and The Movie Blog’s event report.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
