Estrada Targets Nasukawa in Tokyo Eliminator, Eyes WBC Bantamweight Title

Tokyo Eliminator Route

Estrada returned last June with a 10 round decision over Karim Arce Lugo at bantamweight, a fight that served as re entry rather than proof of dominance. The bout reintroduced him to the weight class after his 2024 knockout loss to Jesse Rodriguez, but it did not establish him as the clear standout contender at 118. The WBC ranking did that.

Nasukawa remains better known for his kickboxing career than for a deep boxing record, though he has committed fully to the sport and already challenged for a world title. He is younger and quicker than Estrada, and in Japan, he draws, which makes this event significant locally. What he has not yet shown is sustained success against seasoned championship operators.

Takuma Inoue holds the WBC belt, and while he is organized and steady in the ring, he has never separated himself as a dominant force in the division. His loss to Nordine Oubaali remains part of the picture, and his reign has not erased doubts about how he handles sustained pressure from experienced fighters.

Testing What Remains

For Estrada, the opportunity is clear. A win in Japan places him directly in line for a title shot against a champion many view as beatable. The move reflects timing and careful positioning late in his career.

The question now is whether the fighter who edged Roman Gonzalez in 2021 still exists in enough measure to carry him through one more significant run. April will offer a clearer answer than any ranking ever could.