Toshiaki Nishioka vs Rendall Munroe Preview

Sidney Boquiren and Dave Oakes preview Sunday's super-bantamweight clash between Toshiaki Nishioka and Rendall Munroe.

Japanese super-bantamweight Toshiaki Nishioka takes on Rendall Munroe in an intriguing battle of southpaws this Sunday in Tokyo. The match-up features a nice mesh of contrasting styles with the division's consensus #1 in Nishioka pitting his speed and accuracy against the strength and pressure of the top 10 rated (#7 Ring Magazine, #6 Bad Left Hook) Munroe.

The Leicester fighter has made a career out of exceeding expectations, but will the classy Japanese sharp shooter prove too steep a challenge?

Dave Oakes of the British Scene presents the case for Munroe, while Sidney Boquiren of the Japanese Scene counters for the favored Nishioka.

The Case for Rendall Munroe...

Strength

Whilst there seems to be very little between the two fighters height wise, the Leicester man is the much bigger physically and has shown in his previous fights that he’s very strong on the inside and can bully his opponents around. Nishioka's superior speed and footwork will make it hard for Munroe to utilize his strength advantage, but if the challenger can get close enough to Nishioka, he'll make it a very long, uncomfortable fight.

Stamina

I also doubt whether there are many boxers who can match Munroe for stamina. He gets stronger as fights wear on - gradually increasing his work-rate, pressurizing his opponent and digging in energy sapping body shots. He can be a hard fighter to discourage if he’s allowed to get into a rhythm, and the older Nishioka may struggle late in the fight if Munroe can establish a foothold in the mid rounds and force the champion backwards.

Nishioka will be dangerous early on, but if Munroe can weather the early storm, I can see the fight going the distance. Munroe definitely won't have any problems doing the twelve rounds, he's completed the championship distance six times previously and is said to be in phenomenal shape after an extensive training camp both at home and in Portugal.

Mindset

Going to Japan will be a big test for Munroe, he’s never fought outside the United Kingdom so it will be a major change for him and something he’s never experienced before. Munroe’s laid back demeanour mixed with his single-mindedness and determination will hopefully help him overcome being the away fighter. Nothing seems to faze him – he’s improved every time he’s stepped up in level, which he’ll need to do again on Saturday night if he’s to take the title.

Rendall Munroe heads to a neutral corner after dropping Victor Terrazas / Photo © Chris Royle

His fight against Victor Terrazas was a perfect example of how unflustered he his under pressure. It's fair to say Nishioka is a couple of levels above Terrazas, but I was still impressed how Munroe kept his cool despite struggling to find his rhythm in the opening rounds. He didn't panic, he just kept trying to get in range and let his punches go, which he eventually did to great effect.

I also like the fact he's willing to go to Japan for his chance, a lot of fighters in his position would have turned down the chance in hope for an easier world title shot in front of their home fans. Munroe saw an opportunity and was confident enough to take it, that speaks volumes for his self-belief.

The Case for Toshiaki Nishioka...

Speed

While Nishioka’s ring moniker – Speed King – is a generic one claimed by a few pugilists out here, the lefty will be an elusive target for the visiting boxing binman. Unlike many of the challenger’s recent opponents, the 34-year old vet will not be spending extended periods of time shoulder-to-shoulder with Munroe, and should work off his back foot as he looks for opportunities to land counter shots.

If the Leicester product’s strategy is going to focus on attacking the champ’s midsection, he will first have to get in range to land those punches. That will be a difficult accomplishment as Munroe does not appear to have the footwork necessary to encage the savvy southpaw and tends to eat a lot of leather as he bulldozes forward. Nishioka’s hand speed is more than adequate to pick off the Brit before he gets into the pocket.

Timing and accuracy

With four consecutive title defenses via stoppage, Nishioka’s power is impressive. However, breaking down those victories, what stands out most, at least to this writer, is the southpaw’s accuracy and timing. Against Gonzalez, Nishioka saw the former WBO bantam champ take a step back to avoid a jab, and directed his straight left with pinpoint precision to strike the chin. With Hernandez, he side-stepped the brawler’s wild overhand right and countered with a punishing left.

As touched upon in the preceding segment, Munroe tends to walk forward, and though not as bad as Roy Jones, Jr’s earmuff defense, the Brit sets his guard just wide enough that punches can get through the nine hole. Victor Terrazas was able to score there early in their contest six months ago, and there is no doubt that Nishioka will target that opening as well. A well-timed and accurate left by the native son could put Munroe down for the 10-count for the first time in his career.

Wide gap in experience

Consider that Nishioka has gone 48 rounds with a potential hall-of-famer in Veeraphol Sahaprom and has a tremendous win over A-lister Gonzalez. Hernandez and Genaro Garcia may have been fringe contenders at the time they met the southpaw, but they have also fought good opposition over the years. The best names on Munroe’s record are Simone Maludrottu and Kiko Martinez, and while they are solid competition, the Teiken product clearly has an advantage in experience with the upper tier of pugs in the division. Should Nishioka have to change strategies mid-fight, he will have a deeper well from which to draw.

More thoughts on the match-up from Dave & Sidney...

British Scene

The fight is undoubtedly a major step-up in class for Munroe; Nishioka has fought at world level off and on for the past ten years whilst this is Munroe’s first foray into those echelons. Munroe has had a good education though, he’s had six successful European title fights and a Commonwealth title fight, as well as the early loss he suffered when fighting for the British title up at featherweight against Andy Morris.

Munroe is a slow starter who needs a few rounds to get going, which was evident in his last fight when he struggled against Victor Terrazas in the first four rounds before he picked up the pace in the mid rounds, eventually overcoming the Mexican in the ninth.

Nishioka has shown he carries respectable punch power and Munroe will have to be careful not to get caught cold early. I’d like to see Munroe start quicker than normal, the earlier Munroe gets into the fight the better his chances are. He needs to get in Nishioka’s face, push him backwards and look for the body shots that will slow the champion down if he’s to pull off the win.

Japanese Scene

Perusing the bulletin boards of a few boxing websites, it is obvious that there are many fans out there that are cheering for the amiable 30-year old challenger, and watching footage that was available, this writer does think that Munroe has a chance. However, for him to pull off the victory, he will need to execute a strategy that is seemingly too advanced for his present understanding of the sweet science.

The defending titleholder should be too fast and too sharp for Munroe on Sunday. Not only will he have his left hand to fall back on, accounts from local media have reported Nishioka has put the polish on his right as well. The challenger will have a very tough time establishing his offense, and though I think he will be able to stay on his feet for as long as the contest lasts, Munroe could be taking a beating if he does not figure out a way to slow down the champ from the opening gong.

With Hozumi Hasegawa suffering a huge loss in April, Nishioka is presented with an opportunity to make a statement that he is the best in the country. Though the undercard of the event is a decent one, this could prove to be a stage created for the southpaw to showcase his abilities.

Predictions...

Nishioka is the favourite for a reason and I’m having a hard time picking against him, but I feel that Munroe is more than capable of executing the game plan required to beat Nishioka, who’s shown that he can be beaten. It may be a case of my heart ruling my head but I’m going for Munroe to finish the stronger of the two to take a razor thin points decision.

- Dave Oakes

Certainly Nishioka is far from an impossible assignment. Gonzalez knocked him down in the initial round of their tiff last year and Hernandez was fairly level with him on the scorecards before his corner called it off. Munroe will likewise have his moments on Sunday. However, the seasoned veteran has too many tools at his dispense that it is difficult to see the Brit dictating the action for long spells. Onlookers will applaud the challenger’s courage and heart, but they will also witness Munroe taking too much of a beating that his corner or the referee pulls the plug. Nishioka TKO11

- Sidney Boquiren

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