Tenshin Nasukawa Defeats Victor Santillan by Unanimous
A Masterclass in Precision and Poise
On June 8 at Tokyo’s Ariake Coliseum, Tenshin Nasukawa delivered a clinical performance in the co-main event of Prime Video Boxing 13, defeating the rugged Victor Santillan via unanimous decision with scores of 100-90, 99-91, 99-91. The win improved Nasukawa’s record to 7-0 (2 KOs) and further solidified his status as one of the most technically gifted prospects in the bantamweight division.
Round-by-Round Breakdown
From the opening bell, Nasukawa controlled the action with his signature footwork, sharp jab, and lightning-fast counters. Santillan, a 14-2 Dominican southpaw, tried to pressure the Japanese phenom but was consistently beaten to the punch.
In Round 4, Santillan managed to open Nasukawa dealt with Santillan’s southpaw stance and continued to win rounds on the judges’ cards. The scorecards were 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91.
Despite Santillan’s grit and late-round flurries, Nasukawa’s composure never wavered. He stayed in the pocket, slipped punches, and countered with surgical precision.
A Star Among Champions
The event featured a stacked lineup, including a bantamweight title unification bout between Junto Nakatani and Ryosuke Nishida, and saw undisputed 122-pound king Naoya Inoue in attendance. Yet it was Nasukawa’s performance that stole the spotlight.
Already ranked in the top four by all major sanctioning bodies, Nasukawa is now the leading challenger for the WBC bantamweight title held by Nakatani.
What’s Next: A Collision with Takei?
Nasukawa has publicly expressed interest in facing four-division WBO titleholder Yoshiki Takei, who was also ringside.
Final Thoughts
Tenshin Nasukawa didn’t just win—he elevated his profile on a global stage. With elite-level timing, adaptability, and ring IQ, the former kickboxing prodigy is proving he’s not just a crossover novelty—he’s a legitimate world title threat.
What the Result Means
Nasukawa’s win came on a card built around a Japanese bantamweight title unification, giving his ten-round co-feature a clear competitive setting. He entered unbeaten as a professional and left 7-0, not 8-0; the victory was the seventh of his pro boxing career. Judges returned scores of 100-90, 99-91 and 99-91, all in his favor. Those cards reflect a broad points win, though they do not mean every moment of the contest was one-sided. Santillan brought professional experience and a southpaw stance, requiring Nasukawa to solve a different look from a conventional opponent. The result added another full-distance test to Nasukawa’s transition from elite kickboxing into professional boxing. It should be read as a step in that transition, rather than proof that a title shot was already guaranteed. Rankings and mandatory challenger positions change through sanctioning-body decisions; the reliable facts here are the opponent, the ten-round distance, the unanimous decision and the scorecards.
Sources
Tags: Boxing, Combat Sports
