Boxing delivered a loaded international weekend featuring championship drama in Tokyo, a punishing heavyweight battle in London and a successful crossover debut in Miami.
Takuma Inoue survived a seventh-round knockdown to retain his WBC bantamweight championship, while Ricardo Malajika and Sam Goodman captured major belts on the same Tokyo card. Johnny Fisher escaped with a narrow majority decision in his Zuffa Boxing debut, Liam Davies retained his European featherweight crown, and former UFC champion Henry Cejudo opened his professional boxing career with a victory.
Here is the complete Ring Kings Boxing World weekend wrap-up.
Weekend results at a glance
- Takuma Inoue defeated Tenshin Nasukawa: Unanimous decision
- Sam Goodman defeated Ryosuke Nishida: Unanimous decision
- Ricardo Malajika defeated Tomoya Tsuboi: Split decision
- Johnny Fisher defeated Michael Pirotton: Majority decision
- Radivoje Kalajdzic defeated Craig Richards: Unanimous decision
- Liam Davies defeated Nathaniel Collins: Stoppage after seven rounds
- Henry Cejudo defeated Javon “Wanna” Walton: Split decision
- Tony Ferguson defeated Mahmood Sebie: Second-round TKO
Takuma Inoue climbs off the canvas to retain his title
Takuma Inoue once again proved that championship composure can matter just as much as speed, power and technical ability.
Inoue retained his WBC bantamweight title with a unanimous decision over Tenshin Nasukawa at Toyota Arena in Tokyo. The judges scored the rematch 116-111, 116-111 and 114-113.
The final scores do not completely describe the danger Inoue encountered.
Nasukawa dropped the champion during the seventh round, creating the biggest moment of the fight and placing Inoue’s title reign in serious jeopardy. Instead of unraveling, Inoue recovered, reestablished his jab and controlled enough of the remaining rounds to secure the decision.
It was not a flawless performance, but it may have been one of the most revealing victories of Inoue’s career.
The champion demonstrated that he could survive adversity, make adjustments and close a competitive fight without abandoning his game plan. Inoue improved to 23-2 with five knockouts, while Nasukawa fell to 8-2 with three stoppage victories.
Nasukawa showed significant improvement from their first meeting. His timing, confidence and ability to create openings made the rematch much more competitive. Despite suffering another loss, he remains a major attraction and a legitimate factor in the bantamweight division.
Ricardo Malajika shocks Tokyo and wins WBC gold
South Africa’s Ricardo Malajika supplied one of the weekend’s biggest upsets by defeating highly regarded Japanese talent Tomoya Tsuboi for the vacant WBC super-flyweight championship.
Malajika earned a split decision by scores of 116-112 and 115-113, while the third judge favored Tsuboi 115-113.
Tsuboi’s extensive amateur background and rapid professional rise made him a popular choice entering the contest. Malajika refused to become another step in the Japanese fighter’s championship journey.
After dealing with Tsuboi’s speed during the opening rounds, Malajika increased his pressure and began taking control during the second half. His experience, physical strength and composure eventually separated him in a closely contested championship fight.
The victory gave Malajika a major world title and delivered an important moment for South African boxing.
Tsuboi remains talented, but the result demonstrated the danger of accelerating a prospect into a world-title contest before he has encountered every professional style.
Sam Goodman finally captures championship gold
After injuries and canceled opportunities repeatedly delayed his pursuit of a championship, Sam Goodman finally broke through.
The Australian defeated Ryosuke Nishida by unanimous decision to claim the interim IBF super-bantamweight championship. The judges scored the fight 116-109, 115-110 and 114-111.
Goodman entered hostile territory and produced one of the most complete performances of his career. He pushed the pace, worked effectively at close range and prevented Nishida from consistently controlling the distance.
The victory improved Goodman to 23-1 and placed him directly in the crowded championship picture at 122 pounds.
His next move will be closely watched. The super-bantamweight division contains several major names and potentially lucrative matchups, but Goodman has now earned the leverage that comes with possessing an interim championship.
Johnny Fisher wins—but raises more questions
Johnny Fisher won his Zuffa Boxing debut, but Michael Pirotton made certain the British heavyweight paid for every round.
Fisher received a majority decision after 10 grueling rounds at London’s Copper Box Arena. The official scores were 98-92 and 96-95 for Fisher, with the third judge scoring the fight 95-95.
The 98-92 card did not reflect the competitiveness of the battle.
Fisher started aggressively, attacking Pirotton’s body and opening a cut near the Belgian’s left eye. He appeared capable of forcing a stoppage when the ringside doctor examined the damage during the fourth round.
Pirotton refused to fold.
As Fisher’s output slowed, Pirotton increased his pressure and landed with greater regularity. Fisher looked tired during the closing rounds but continued throwing heavy power shots and did enough to convince two judges.
The victory advanced Fisher’s record to 15-1 with 12 knockouts. However, the performance exposed questions about his stamina, defensive responsibility and readiness for the heavyweight division’s upper level.
Fisher deserves credit for surviving a difficult fight. He also left the ring looking more like a developing contender than a finished product.
Zuffa Boxing must decide whether to continue testing him or provide a rebuilding fight before moving him toward a ranked opponent.
Kalajdzic drops Richards and controls the scorecards
Radivoje “Hot Rod” Kalajdzic strengthened his position in the light-heavyweight division with a unanimous decision over Craig Richards.
All three judges scored the fight 97-92 for Kalajdzic.
Richards attempted to mount a dramatic rally during the final round, but Kalajdzic answered with a combination that dropped the London fighter moments before the final bell.
Kalajdzic’s quicker hands and straight right repeatedly interrupted Richards’ offense. Richards remained competitive and continued applying pressure, but he often struggled to build combinations before Kalajdzic responded.
The victory improved Kalajdzic to 31-3 with 22 knockouts and should position him for another significant fight at 175 pounds.
For Richards, the defeat represents another setback in his attempt to return to world-title contention.
Liam Davies retains European championship
Liam Davies successfully defended his European featherweight championship when Nathaniel Collins’ corner withdrew its fighter after seven rounds.
Davies steadily imposed his offense, landing the harder combinations and preventing Collins from establishing a sustainable rhythm. With the punishment accumulating, Collins’ team stopped the contest before the eighth round began.
The victory moved Davies another step closer to a world-title opportunity.
Davies has now shown that his power and pressure remain effective following his move into the featherweight division. The next logical test should come against a highly ranked contender who can determine whether he is ready for the division’s champions.
Henry Cejudo wins professional boxing debut
Former two-division UFC champion and Olympic wrestling gold medalist Henry Cejudo began his professional boxing career with a split-decision victory over Javon “Wanna” Walton in Miami.
Two judges scored the four-round contest 39-37 for Cejudo, while the third scored it 39-37 for Walton.
Walton used his length and youth effectively during the opening round, but Cejudo gradually solved the distance. The 39-year-old moved in and out of range, forced Walton to miss and landed the more noticeable hooks during several close exchanges.
Cejudo’s victory was not dominant, but it was impressive considering the age difference and Walton’s greater professional boxing experience.
A rematch could make sense, particularly if Walton receives a full training camp. Cejudo also remains interested in facing Deen the Great, his originally scheduled opponent.
On the same Misfits Boxing card, Tony Ferguson retained his middleweight championship by stopping Mahmood Sebie just 42 seconds into the second round.
Who had the best weekend?
Ricardo Malajika produced the biggest upset. Sam Goodman delivered perhaps the most complete championship performance. Takuma Inoue demonstrated the greatest resilience.
Inoue remains the headline attraction because of the drama surrounding his knockdown and recovery, but Malajika may have gained the most.
He entered Tokyo as the visiting fighter against a decorated Japanese talent and departed with the WBC super-flyweight championship. That type of victory can completely change a fighter’s career.
Fisher, meanwhile, earned a victory without eliminating the questions surrounding him. Heavyweight boxing remains unforgiving, and a stronger opponent could capitalize on the fatigue and defensive openings Pirotton exposed.
What comes next
The bantamweight and super-bantamweight divisions now have several new possibilities.
Inoue can pursue another defense or explore a larger unification opportunity. Goodman has earned a significant fight at 122 pounds. Malajika must prepare for the new responsibilities and opportunities accompanying a WBC championship.
Kalajdzic deserves another major light-heavyweight assignment, while Davies is closing in on world-title contention at featherweight.
Fisher needs development more than hype. His heart and power are evident, but improved conditioning and defense will be essential before he challenges the heavyweight elite.
The weekend delivered champions, upsets, close decisions and several new storylines. That is exactly what a Ring Kings weekend is supposed to provide.