Japanese Scene: Nishoka – Marquez Announced for October 1 in Las Vegas
by The Boxing Bulletin on Jul 27, 2011 1:22 AM EDT
in Boxing News Analysis
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Sidney Boquiren has the latest boxing news from Japan. For more Japanese boxing updates, you can follow Sidney on twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter
Toshiaki Nishioka is officially heading to the US for his next ring appearance as it was announced earlier today that the super bantamweight champ will face Rafael Marquez at the MGM Grand on October 1. While the 35-year old’s handlers at Teiken openly expressed that they hoped to send their charge to fight in the US, concrete details had not been released until today. Nishioka will attempt to make the seventh defense of his WBC title.
It will not be the first time the southpaw performs under the Vegas lights - he fought journeyman Jose Alonso at the Hard Rock back in 2006 – and Nishioka’s biggest career victory was on foreign turf when he stopped Jhonny Gonzalez in 2009 in Mexico.
Nishioka addressed reporters stating, "Marquez is a very strong, world-famous boxer. I am really thrilled to be able to fight someone of his stature in Las Vegas."
Although I was not very excited about this match-up when the possibility was initially rumored, it is an intriguing bout. Marquez looked fairly rusty in what proved to be a tune-up sparring session a few weeks ago against Eduardo Becerril, and it will be interesting to see how much the warrior still has in the tank. Nishioka has not really been tested since his off-the-canvas win over Gonzalez, but he was clearly hit harder and more often against Mauricio Javier Munoz in April than he had been since the trip to Mexico. The autumn clash could start off as a tense chess match that ends in a very entertaining brawl.
Talented light flyweight Roman Gonzalez appears to be a part of the card, but no word on former Japanese junior welterweight beltholder Yoshihiro Kamegai.
For more coverage of Japanese boxing, follow Sidney on Twitter: RingwalkNippon@Twitter
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I like this fight. Nishoka is a good underrated fighter. Marquez while obviously declined is still a warrior. I’m expecting a very good fight for as long as it lasts. Marquez by stoppage around the 7th or 8th round
All of it. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie. I want it all.
I’m edging toward Nishioka right now, primarily because Marquez has a lot of wear on his 36-year old body and it’s been over three years since he last fought at 122. The weight issue may not be a really big deal, but all of the Japanese fighters are usually ready and willing to take it to the distance. If Marquez fades late, a stoppage for the defending champ is more than possible. He may be able to hurt Nishioka, but the Japanese veteran has shown he knows how to survive tough situations and can fall back on his legs when necessary.
On the other hand, Nishioka’s speed isn’t what it used to be and he relies on footwork, timing and positioning to set up his power punches (and is pretty darn good at doing so). He may be one of the biggest punchers in the division, but it’s the way he sets up the blows that makes him effective. As the southpaw stands his ground more frequently than in the past, if Marquez can touch him up early, I would also be able to see him do what Gonzalez was unable to.
For now, I’ll take Nishioka by UD or late stoppage.
by RingwalkNIPPON on Jul 27, 2011 6:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes I agree at 36 Marquez has a lot of wear. And it’s become noticeable. But Nishioka ain’t exactly a young buck himself at 35. And while he hasn’t been in the wars Marquez has been in he’s still been in 45 career fights. So by no means is he a fresh fighter. And that too has become noticeable. His last fight showed he’s not exactly hard to hit. He was able to take the punches without much problems. But taking shots from Munoz is a lot either than taking shots from Marquez.
All of it. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie. I want it all.
by Eugene Banks on Jul 27, 2011 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I certainly agree with you that Nishioka isn’t young either and he isn’t as quick as he was back when they called him “Speed King” out here in Japan. I think most people who tuned into his last fight expected him to walk through the Argentinian, but Munoz proved a tougher out and touched Nishioka up pretty well. If the southpaw allows Marquez to do the same, the Japanese vet may very well leave Vegas without his title.
However, I don’t think he’s anywhere close to being as warn out as Marquez and he’ll be much smarter about going toe to toe if the Mexican warrior shows he can still bang. Nishioka saw what happened to gymmate Akifumi Shimoda in Atlantic City, and won’t let himself fall into the same outcome.
by RingwalkNIPPON on Jul 27, 2011 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Excellent! Marquez looked really slowed down and shop-worn a couple weeks ago, but I still think this is a good, interesting fight. He still will have his pop.
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