Tokyo knockout route

Estrada returned last June with a 10-round decision over Karim Arce Lugo in a bantamweight contest that was more of a re-entry than a demonstration of dominance. The fight moved him back up to heavyweight after a knockout loss to Jesse Rodriguez in 2024, but it didn’t make him a clear contender at 118. The WBC rankings do just that.

Nasukawa is better known for his kickboxing career than his deep boxing record, although he has devoted himself to the sport and has challenged for a world title. He’s younger and faster than Estrada, and in Japan, he draws, making the event significant locally. He has yet to show consistent success against experienced championship operators.

Takuma Inoue holds the WBC belt, and while he is organized and consistent in the ring, he has never separated himself as a dominant force in the division. His loss to Nordine Oubaali remains part of the problem, and his dominance has done little to dispel doubts about how he can handle the constant pressure from a more experienced fighter.

Test the rest

For Estrada, the opportunity was clear. A win in Japan puts him squarely in line for a title shot against a champion many thought he could beat. The move reflected late-career timing and careful positioning.

The question now is whether the fighter who defeated Roman Gonzalez in 2021 is still around enough to lead him to a more important fight. April will provide clearer answers than any ranking.