Toshiaki Nishioka Fighter Profile, Bio and Career Record (39-4-3, 24 Kos)
Toshiaki Nishioka is the reigning WBC Super Bantamweight World Champion. A pro for 18 years, Nishioka has faced many ups and downs on his journey to becoming one of the sports current pound for pound elite fighters.
Early Professional Career
Nishioka turned pro on December 11th, 1994 with a first round knockout win over Yuko Shishido. In his next bout, Nishioka would suffer his first setback with a 4th round knockout loss to Mashahiko Nakamura.
After winning 15 of his first 18 bouts Nishioka would face Junichi Watanabe for the vacant Japanese Bantamweight Title. Nishioka would knockout his once beaten opponent in the 2nd round to claim the belt. After five more impressive win Nishioka would earn his first world title fight.
Bouts With Veeraphol Sahaprom
On June 25, 2000 Nishioka would challenge WBC Bantamweight Champion Veeraphol Sahaprom. Sahaprom earned a close unanimous decision victory. The fighters would face each other three more times. After two split draws, Sahaprom would get the better of Nishioka in their fourth and final bout on March 6th, 2004 with a clear unanimous decision victory.
Super Bantamweight Championship
After his defeat to Sahaprom in 2004, Nishioka would rattle off eight straight victories en route to earning another title shot in 2008. On September 15th, 2008 Nishioka would defeat veteran Napapol Sor Rungvisai for the Interim WBC Super Bantamweight Championship. In his following fight Nishioka would defeat Genaro Garcia by TKO in round 12 to claim the WBC Super Bantamweight Championship.
Championship Reign
Nishioka has successfully defended the WBC Super Bantamweight six times since claiming the belt. His most notable defense was against Jhonny Gonzalez in Mexico on May 23rd, 2009. In this fight, Nishioka came in a solid 2 to 1 underdog but stopped the hometown fighter Gonzalez in the 3rd round.
In his last bout Nishioka faced veteran legend Rafael Marquez in Las Vegas. After six fairly close rounds Nishioka dominated the faded former champion down the stretch and won a decisive unanimous decision.
Future: What’s Next for Toshiaki Nishioka?
Nishioka has been on an impressive win streak since losing to Veeraphol Sahaprom in 2004. There are many big name opponents in the Super Bantamweight area and Nishioka figures to land one of those names shortly. A unification fight with Nonito Donaire would probably make the most sense and at age 36 the most money as well for Nishioka.
It looks like Donaire vs. Nishioka will be made for October 2012, and we’ll get to see an exciting unification match in the super bantamweight division between two very talented fighters.
