Ryosuke Nishida Defeats Bryan Vazquez in an IBF Eliminator
Former IBF bantamweight champion Ryosuke Nishida is finding new life in the junior featherweight division. With his recent win over Bryan Vazquez, a world title opportunity now appears to be within reach.
Nishida suffered a sixth-round stoppage loss to Junto Nakatani in a 118-pound unification bout in June 2025. On Februrary 15, 2026, Nishida (11-1, 2 KOs) rebounded with a seventh-round technical decision over Vazquez (32-2, 26 KOs) in an IBF junior featherweight eliminator at the Sumiyoshi Sports Center in Osaka. Using a steady right jab and disciplined boxing, he controlled the action throughout. An accidental headbutt opened a severe cut over his eye, forcing the bout to be stopped. At the time of the stoppage, Nishida was comfortably ahead, 69-64, on all three scorecards.
The victory is expected to elevate Nishida to the number one position in the IBF rankings at 122 pounds. This is notably the same division where undisputed champion Naoya Inoue is slated to face Nakatani this spring. The IBF will likely order the winner to defend against Nishida. Should that bout be avoided, the title could be vacated. Yet regardless of how events unfold, Nishida appears all but guaranteed a junior featherweight world title shot later this year or in early 2027.
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