Tenshin Nasukawa vs Jonathan ‘Torres’ Rodriguez Preview July 20th, 2024
Jonathan Rodriguez of Puerto Rico takes on Japan’s Tenshin Nasukawa in a 10-round bantamweight tilt this Saturday, July 20th. The fight from Tokyo can be seen live in America on ESPN+ while fans in the UK and Ireland can catch it on Sky Sports Action. Rodriguez last fought in February when he was stopped by Antonio Vargas after seven round of a wild affair. Vargas was down in round one while Rodriguez was dropped in rounds two and seven. In addition, Vargas was deducted two points for hitting Rodriguez while he was down in the second round. Rodriguez had made a name for himself just three months earlier when he stopped former world champion Khalid Yafai in just 137 seconds for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental Bantamweight Belt. Nasukawa last entered the ring in January when he stopped Luis Robles Pacheco after three rounds.
Nasukawa vs Rodriguez Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Jonathan Rodriguez +450
- Tenshin Nasukawa -700
My Pick
Rodriguez is just 25 years old and fights put of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He climbs through the ropes with a mark of 17-2-1 with 7 Ko’s and has 83 rounds of pro experience under his belt since making his debut in 2018 following his amateur career. He measures 5-feet-4-inches tall, but unfortunately there’s no reach information for him. Rodriguez carries around slightly below-average power as 41.8 per cent of his victories have been by stoppage but you’d have a hard time convincing Khalid Yafai of that and he has stopped four of his last seven opponents.
Just nine of Rodriguez’s 20 opponents have entered the ring with a winning record and he lost to one of them as Manuel Flores stopped him in the fifth round in 2020 for his first career loss. However his last six opponents have had winning marks. His lone draw was a six-round split decision with Roberto Pucheta in 2021. Before stopping Yafai, his biggest win came in June of last year when he stopped Brian Cannady in the second round to win the vacant WBC USA Silver Bantamweight Title. He also beat Wilner Soto by six-round unanimous decision three months earlier.
Nasukawa is 25 years old and carries around a perfect record of 3-0 with 1 Ko and hasn’t lost any of the 17 rounds he’s fought since turning pro last year. Nasukawa is a former former professional kickboxer and mixed martial artist and is generally regarded as one of the greatest ever modern kickboxers. He became famous after his KO wins over former IBF world boxing champion Amnat Ruenroeng in 2017 and Muay Thai champion Wanchalong PK Saenchaigym in a year earlier. Nasukawa won numerous titles in kickboxing and retired from the sport in July 2022.
The southpaw, who is an excellent counterpuncher, made his pro debut in April, 2023 when he beat Yuki Yonaha by six round unanimous decision. He beat Luis Guzman Torres via an eight-round unanimous decision five months later and then stopped Luis Robles Pacheco after three rounds. Nasukawa measures 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 69.5-inch reach which gives him an inch edge in height on Rodriguez.
Prediction…
Nasukawa is new to the boxing ring but has plenty of experience in combat sports. Rodriguez has a lot of heart so this should be a good test for both of them. Considering Nasukawa is fighting at home and has some fine skills he’s the betting favourite in this contest. However, whoever lets his hands go the most and shows he wants to win it will have the edge. This is a close call but I’m leaning towards Nasukawa due to his overall fighting experience.
A tossup with Nasukawa having a slight edge.
Play: Nasukawa -700 @ BetOnline.ag
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Jonathan Rodriguez betting • Tenshin Nasukawa betting