Ryosuke Nishida vs. Bryan Mercado - February 15, 2026

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ryosuke Nishida set for 122lbs debut vs. Bryan Mercado on Feb. 15 in Osaka

Ryosuke Nishida is set to join his more celebrated countrymen at a new weight.

The former IBF 118lbs titlist confirmed that he will now campaign in the junior featherweight division. Nishida’s first official fight at the higher weight will come against Bryan Mercado in an IBF title eliminator on February 15 at Sumiyoshi Sports Center in his hometown of Osaka, Japan.

News of the event was revealed during a press conference held on Thursday.

“I will do my best to become world champion once again,” Nishida told reporters during the intimate setting, as he was joined by head trainer Kosuke Takeichi.

Mercado 32-1 (26 KOs) – who was not present for the session given the logistics – represents a bold first step at a new weight for Nishida. The 30-year-old knockout artist from Mexico City has stopped 11 of his past 12 opponents, and has won 31 straight starts since a split decision defeat in just his second pro bout.

He is fresh off an 8th round stoppage win on November 8 in Puebla and will now travel abroad for the first time as a pro.

The bout will be the first for Nishida, 10-1 (2 KOs) since his lone career defeat – a 6th round stoppage to Junto Nakatani in their June 8 IBF/WBO 118lbs unification bout at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo, Japan. Nishida’s IBF title reign came to an end after 15 months, which dated back to his 12-round, unanimous decision victory over Emmanuel Rodriguez last May 4 at EDION Arena in Osaka.

Just one successful defense came of his run, a 7th round knockout of unbeaten Thai challenger Anuchai Donsua last December 15 at the very arena that will house his next contest.

It was clear heading into the fight with Nakatani that Nishida was bound to move up in weight, regardless of the outcome. The same was said for Nakatani, 31-0 (24 KOs) whose own 122lbs debut also comes against a rugged Mexican contender in Sebastian Hernandez, 20-0 (18 KOs), on December 27 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The same show will see Naoya Inoue, 31-0 (28 KOs) risk his undisputed 122lbs championship against unbeaten Mexican challenger Alan David Picasso, 32-0-1 (17 KOs). Wins by Inoue and Nakatani will then set up a blockbuster showdown next May at the Tokyo Dome.

Nishida hopes to get the winner of the bout, hence the decision to head straight into a title eliminator. Nakatani is already the No. 1 contender with the WBA, WBC and WBO. He is also the highest rated IBF challenger (No. 3) but obviously unavailable to fight an eliminator.

Original plans called for Nishida – No. 8 with the IBF – to next face former 115lbs titlist Jerwin Ancajas (No. 5), who opted to not move forward with the fight for undisclosed reasons.

Mercado is presently one spot below Ancajas and the highest-rated available challenger for the occasion, thus Nishida’s choice for this assignment.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Ryosuke Nishida-Bryan Mercado To Meet In IBF 122-Pound Title Eliminator, Feb. 15

Former IBF bantamweight titleholder Ryosuke Nishida had been working on his return up at junior featherweight and was expected to face former IBF 115-pound beltholder Jerwin Ancajas but on Thursday, it was announced that instead Nishida would face Bryan Mercado.

The two will meet in an IBF 122-pound eliminator as part of an event dubbed, "Cosme Felice & Emravi presents You Will Be the Champion 27," at the Sumiyoshi SportsCenter in Osaka, Japan come February 15.

"I wanted to fight a fighter who has the ambition to become world champion, so I'm motivated," Nishida (10-1, 2 KOs) said at Thursday's press conference to announce the fight. "I want to win and gain confidence."

"I've watched the video once, and he has a Mexican rhythm, uppercuts, and punching power. Trainer [Kosuke] Takeichi and I are roughly working out how to counter him."

It will be Nishida's first fight since he was stopped in six rounds by Junto Nakatani in an IBF and WBC bantamweight unification on June 8. In that matchup, Nishida sustained a shoulder injury but is now back to full fitness.

The 29-year-old southpaw admitted he was happy to be facing Mercado and not Ancajas at the presser, with the latter unable to fight due to family reasons.

"[Ancajas is] a strong fighter, even though he's lost to a Japanese guy [Takuma Inoue], I'm on a downward slope," he said. "Even if I win, I don't think a win would significantly boost my reputation."

The goal, if victorious against the dangerous Mexican opponent is to challenge the winner of the mooted Naoya Inoue-Junto Nakatani showdown, which is pencilled in for May should both win interim fights as part of Ring V: Night of The Samurai on December 27.

"If Nakatani wins, I want to get revenge on him," he said. "If Inoue wins, I want to fight him, I want the winner."

Nishida turned professional in 2019 and in just his third outing, scored an eight-round points win over former world title challenger Shohei Omari. He followed that by dominating former WBC flyweight titlist Daigo Higa to the tune of wide scorecards over 12 rounds.

A wrist injury in his next fight saw him spend an extended period on the sidelines. After recovering, he continued his ascent by outpointing Mexico's Christian Medina in a 12-round IBF eliminator, then beat Emmanuel Rodriguez over the same distance to win IBF gold.

Following one successful defence, a seventh-round stoppage win over Anuchai Donsua, Nakatani unseated him this summer before himself opting to move up in weight once more.

Mercado meanwhile, turned professional in 2014. The Ring's No. 10-rated junior featherweight contender has reeled off 31 consecutive wins since losing his second fight, a four-round split decision, against Rigoberto Nava in September 2015.

Among his ever-improving resume, his most notable victories are stoppage wins over South Africa's Mzuvukile Magwaca (TKO1), longtime Filipino contender Arthur Villanueva (KO9) and a 10-round points victory over former world title challenger Jose Velasquez (UD10).

[Ruthless-RKO]

Kaito Yamasaki-Mugicha Nakagawa headlines Nishida-Mercado undercard Feb. 15

It was today announced that junior featherweights Kaito Yamasaki and Mugicha Nakagawa will collide for a vacant regional title on February 15.

Their 10-round contest features as the chief support to former IBF bantamweight titleholder Ryosuke Nishida facing Mexico's dangerous Bryan Mercado in a 122-pound title eliminator at Sumiyoshi Sports Center in Osaka, Japan.

The IBF’s two highest-rated available contenders, Mercado (32-1, 26 KOs) and Nishida (10-1, 2 KOs) will meet in an eliminator for undisputed and Ring champion Naoya Inoue's title.

Yamasaki (11-1, 6 KOs) and Nakagawa (32-11-3, 20 KOs) bid to replace Kazuki Nakajima, who won the same belt in February 2024 before making four defences over the next 22 months and later vacating.

Elsewhere, Japan's Shuma Nakazato (15-3-4, 8 KOs) will take on South Korea's Min Ho Jung (19-5-2, 5 KOs) for the vacant OPBF lightweight title.

At flyweight, Keisuke Iwasaki (9-7-3, 3 KOs) and Yutthichai Wannawong (19-17, 13 KOs) meet over eight rounds.

In the card's opening fight, Juiki Tatsuyoshi (17-1-1, 10 KOs), son of legendary Japanese fighter Joichiro, will look to continue his comeback after a crushing second-round knockout by Nakajima in December 2024. He'll make his second start since then, up against Shoki Yamauchi (7-6, 6 KOs).

[Ruthless-RKO]

Detailed Fight Backgrounds and Insights

Main Event:
Junior featherweights Kaito Yamasaki and Mugicha Nakagawa will compete for a vacant regional title. This belt was previously held by Kazuki Nakajima, who won it in February 2024 and defended it four times over 22 months before vacating.

Chief Support Fight:
Former IBF bantamweight titleholder Ryosuke Nishida faces Bryan Mercado in a 122-pound IBF title eliminator. Both fighters are the IBF’s two highest-rated available contenders. The winner will earn the right to challenge Naoya Inoue, the undisputed and Ring bantamweight champion.

Bryan Mercado has an impressive record of 32 wins, 1 loss, and 26 knockouts, highlighting his power and experience.
Ryosuke Nishida stands at 10 wins and 1 loss, with 2 knockouts.

Other Title Fights:

Shuma Nakazato (Japan) vs. Min Ho Jung (South Korea) will battle for the vacant OPBF lightweight title, a significant regional championship in Asia-Pacific boxing.

At flyweight, Keisuke Iwasaki and Yutthichai Wannawong will contest an eight-round non-title fight, with both fighters bringing contrasting records and knockout ratios.

Notable Comeback:
Juiki Tatsuyoshi, son of legendary Japanese boxer Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, will attempt to rebound from a severe second-round knockout suffered against Kazuki Nakajima in December 2024. This fight marks his second start since that loss, facing Shoki Yamauchi.

[Ruthless-RKO]

Bryan Mercado ready for 'important' Japan away day against Nishida

Mercado, rated No. 9 by The Ring at junior featherweight, has been a professional since November 2014 and while he hasn't lost since his second fight, it's taken until now to make real inroads into the division.

On Sunday, Mercado will face Ryosuke Nishida, who is moving up from bantamweight, in an IBF 122-pound title eliminator, at the Sumiyoshi SportsCenter, Osaka, Japan.

"I'm motivated; it's a great opportunity against a former world champion," Mercado (32-1, 26 KOs) told The Ring. "It will be difficult because he's a southpaw, but I'm inspired to deliver a memorable fight."

The 30-year-old Mexican is very respectful of his opponent but sees some openings that he feels he can exploit.

"He's a very good fighter, he was a world champion for a reason," he said. "He's fast and I have to be very careful; it will be a great fight on Sunday.

"His speed is great, he has a very explosive jab, I've noticed he always keeps his guard closed but when he attacks, he opens his arms and becomes unprotected."

Mercado has trained at Ocotal Park, which is 2,900 meters above sea level in Mexico City, under his father's tutelage.

He feels the altitude has allowed him to enjoy a successful camp and is prepared to take to the road and emerge victorious.

"This is the experience I was looking for, going to Japan for an important fight," he said, having spent his entire professional career in Mexico.

"I'm happy for this great opportunity, as I had already gone there to training camp, but an final eliminator is more motivating, and it's the dream I've fought for so many years [to get.]"

Should the Mexican beat Nishida, he will be close to securing a world title opportunity, though will have to wait for the outcome of the big all-Japanese fight between The Ring and undisputed 122-pound champion Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani, in May.
"Naoya is going to beat Nakatani, I have no doubt," he said. "I'd like to take the opportunity, prepare for a championship fight knowing I'm fighting away from home, but wherever we must fight, we'll fight."

Mercado's promoter, Oswaldo Kuchle of Latin KO, recognizes it will be a tough test for his fighter but one that he can come through and make a name for himself.

"Bryan is a fighter with an impressive punch, who is on par with the best in the world in terms of competitive level and has a great opportunity to show it in Japan; where he faces a tough opponent, who was already a world champion but we have confidence in his skills because he has the capacity to win by knockout or by points and demonstrate that he is made to become an idol," said Kuchle.

Nishida (10-1, 2 KOs) turned professional in 2019 and in just his third outing, scored an eight-round points win over former world title challenger Shohei Omari. He followed that by dominating former WBC flyweight titlist Daigo Higa to the tune of wide scorecards over 12 rounds.

A wrist injury in his next fight saw him spend an extended period on the sidelines. After recovering, he continued his ascent by besting future WBO 118-pound boss Christian Medina (UD 12) in IBF eliminator. He followed that by unseating IBF ruler Emmanuel Rodriguez (UD 12). He made one defense against Anuchai Donsua (KO 7) before losing his title in a unification with Nakatani (RTD 6).

[Ruthless-RKO]

U-Next will stream their fight exclusively in Japan

[Ruthless-RKO]

Nishida tipped the scales at 121.9lbs, while Mercado was a fit and trim 120.8lbs – his lightest weight in more than a decade

[Ruthless-RKO]

Who won?

[joshj909]

Who won?

Nishida was awarded a unanimous technical decision (all 69-64) at 2:53 of the seventh round. Steadily piling up points, the Japanese southpaw suffered a nasty deep cut over the left optic caused by an accidental butt, and a technical decision was duly taken in favor of him since he maintained the initiative with his sharp combinations in the close quarter all the way.