Big card at Sumo Hall - Toshiaki Nishioka vs. Rendall Munroe RBR

It's just about time - they're going over the tale of the tape in-studio.

 

Jimmy Lennon Jr. is bringing some class to Tokyo.

Munroe has his shades on and is strutting out.

 

Well, Lennon just made the ring name official with his announcement:

Toshiaki "SPEED KING" Nishioka.

 

The uniformed binmen in Rendall's corner are a nice touch. He looks primed up (from his facial expression and body language) and shredded (from what we can see; only his arms are exposed).

 

JL still works in the "it's Showtime" catchphrase even though he's on Sky (for English-speaking countries). :yep

 

Round 1

Right jabs flow hot and heavy, with Nishioka's a bit busier. Munroe squeezes his elbows together and picks off some of the lower ones while trying to dish out one of his own every few moments. Munroe is the first to try the left hand but can't quite get a bead on the fleet-footed Nishioka. Munroe covers up as Nishioka blasts him with a quick flashy combo. Nishioka changing directions frequently and still using primarily the right (mostly as a snappy jab on the go). Munroe is no longer trying to keep up with his footwork, just turning calmly and timing Nishioka with some jabs now.

10-9 Nishioka

 

Round 2

Munroe is coming forward and Nishioka is reaching around to whack him with lefts slung more to halt Munroe's momentum than hurt him. Nishioka is not looking to stand and trade, grabbing and parrying the arms of Munroe whenever they get too close. Munroe starts throwing some straight combos that graze Nishioka's back as he ducks down, still sliding and hopping on his toes. Munroe is consistently getting in his face and letting his hands go and landing well collaterally despite the fancy defensive moves and reflexes of Nishioka. Good jabs from Munroe down the stretch.

19 all

 

Round 3

Munroe is now giving Nishioka a taste of his own medicine with some quick lateral movement and a string of right jabs. Nishioka throws his own jab low to the belly area in an attempt to psyche Munroe out and leave him gawking for a left cross on the chin. Munroe isn't giving him much of a target, moving his head well and countering. Nishioka calms down and gets back into a smoother boxing pattern, but keeping his right arm low between jabs. The two match up evenly in foot speed but Nishioka has a bit of a higher workrate and accuracy.

29-28 Nishioka

 

Round 4

Munroe walks Nishioka down around the ring and swipes at him with jabs, also using the back of his right arm to push away some of the higher punches of Nishioka. The champ is scoring with body shots (sort of narrow-angle uppercuts from far out of range). Munroe is catching Nishioka with long straight combos and punishing him for keeping that lead right low. Nishioka is bouncing around and causing Munroe to miss every other shot but the ones in between are landing solidly. Every few steps Munroe gets in close and really roughs Nishioka up.

38-38!

 

Round 5

Munroe is doing well coming forward until just over a minute into the round when Nishioka launches a cracking left hand rocket. Munroe is shaken up and keeps getting drilled by a very aggressive Nishioka. Munroe evades until he's out of trouble and then lands a very nice hook on the champion. Nishioka tries to get back to business by swarming with hard punches but Munroe is able to stir his limbs up and keep him tied up.

Munroe had very good moments, but you can't ignore how hurt Nishioka had him.

48-47 Nishioka