Read the full story on SportsLook - [ODDS and EVENS] Tenshin Nasukawa Showcases Range of Skills in Pro Boxing Debut
Every journey begins with a single step, and Tenshin Nasukawa took that step with his first fight as a professional boxer.
The name Nasukawa was already well-known to many people who follow combat sports with his long list of accomplishments as a kickboxer and mixed martial arts fighter spanning more than a decade.
But he entered uncharted territory on Saturday, April 8 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, competing in his first pro boxing fight.
To his credit, Nasukawa was prepared for the challenge against veteran boxer Yuki Yonaha in their six-round super bantamweight clash, which was overseen by the Japan Boxing Commission.
Nasukawa, who turns 25 on August 18, won by unanimous decision. The three referees scored the fight this way: 59-54, 60-53, 60-53.
Yonaha, 32, fell to 12-5-1 (eight knockouts).
Early Highlights of the Fight
In the opening round, Nasukawa demonstrated his range of fighting tactics, landing punches to the body and targeting his opponent's head, too. Late in the round, punch combinations provided a broader glimpse of Nasukawa's skill set.
And thanks to a well-placed, potent right hook, Nasukawa recorded a second-round knockdown, letting Yonaha know he had no timidity on this night.
Seconds into Round 3, Nasukawa continued his aggressive approach, hammering Yonaha with a straight left.
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
Follow boxing coverage throughout the year on SportsLook.
Author: Ed Odeven
Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and Twitter ＠ed_odeven.
