July 20th 2016-EDION Arena Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Yuki Nonaka (29-8-3, 9) Vs Ryosuke Maruki (12-3-1, 7)

Back in 2016 the then Japanese Light Middleweight champion Yuki Nonaka [野中 悠樹] faced off with the hungry and young Ryosuke Maruki [丸木凌介]

July 20th 2016-EDION Arena Osaka, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Yuki Nonaka (29-8-3, 9) vs Ryosuke Maruki (12-3-1, 7)

Earlier this year we saw a Japanese Light Middleweight title fight between veteran Yuki Nonaka [野中悠樹] and hungry youngster Ryosuke Maruki [丸木凌介 完全版].

December 28th 2014- Sumiyoshi Ward Center, Osaka, Osaka, Japan
Yuki Nonaka (26-8-2, 9) Vs Charlie Ota (24-2-1, 16)

Late last year we had a very interesting Japanese Light Middleweight title fight between defending champion Yuki Nonaka, a very popular fighter in Osaka, and Japanese based American Charlie Ota. On paper it was a really interesting bout and it proved to be just as interesting in the ring with some controversy after the bout regarding the scoring of the contest. We won't ruin it for those who don't know the result but we will say that it's a bout well worth watching.

(Video courtesy of Nov K who we want to say a huge thank you to!)

This past Sunday saw Japanese fans at the Sumiyoshi Ward Center get the chance to see local hero Yuki Nonaka become a 2-time Japanese champion as he re-claimed the Japanese Light Middleweight title that he held between 2008-2009.

Nonaka, one of Japan's best "pure boxers" took on the feared Kengo Nagashima and put on a bit of a master class with sharp shots, lovely combinations, and intelligent movement, and despite not being much of a puncher he did seem to rock Nagashima several times. In fact despite losing his gum shield at one poin Nonaka fought on regardless.

The bout may not be one of the super high level contests but it does show just how good Nonaka is as a fighter and how under-rated his skills are. It's just a shame he lacks the power and youth to really make a name on the international stage, though we do expect him to challenge for the OPBF title in the next 12 months to try and re-unify a crown he first unified back in 2009.

(We would like to thank nov K for this footage)

Just 6 months after Ryo Okayama had been left flat on his back courtesy of Koji Numata he faced his second successive former Japanese champion, Yuki Nonaka. As with the bout against Numata we ended up seeing Okayama failing to cope with his opponent, though this time around he did last a bit longer and didn't end up in such a bad state as he did against Numata.

Nonaka, one of Japanese more skilled fighters around Middleweight, seemed to do as he wished with Okayama took control of the fight relatively early though was fighting someone with similar hand speed to himself giving him some issues at times. The speed of Okayama however didn't really help him avoid the shots and in round 6 he was put under heavy pressure forcing the referee to save Okayama.

The performance from Nonaka again saw him showing off his speed, skills and movement though also saw him showing some spite late on, something he has lacked at times in his great career.

In our eyes one of Japan's most under-rated fighters is southpaw boxer Yuki Nonaka who appears to be regularly over-looked. One of the reasons Nonaka doesn't seem to get the respect he deserves is his lack of power, as a boxer he really does seem to have everything else with nice speed, shots, movement and understanding of the ring.

Even without power Nonaka has scored some pretty good stoppages including his solid one against Thai journeyman Ekapop Mor Krungthep Thonburee that appeared to come from the placement of a shot as opposed to a power of a show.

The bout, an absolute mismatch from the moment it was signed, was finished with a body shot that seemed to sent Ekapop on his way whilst Nonaka landed a head shot whilst the Thai was on his way down. We can't pretend it was a good fight but it against show off the skills of Nonaka who is a very tidy boxer and has caught out eye a few times now for performances like this.

(We are sorry for the silent sections of this video, it's not an issue with the video but the copyright of the company who own the recording)

In September 2008 Yuki Nonaka claimed his first professional boxing title, the Japanese Light Middleweight title. Just 3 months later he looked for the first defence of the the belt and took on the very heavy handed Takao Onda. The bout, on paper, was brilliant with a skilled and tough but light hitting champion fighting against a heavy handed and determined challenger with the winner set to end the year as the champion.

Although the bout looked great on paper it turned out not to be so great in reality with the power puncher often struggling to have much success against a man who was simply a level or two above him. In fact the bout proved how good the champion really was as he put on a bit of a masterclass at times with beautiful counter shots, intelligent movement and great variety in shots. It wasn't quite punch perfect but it did show off just how good Nonaka was, despite taking 7 losses into this fight.

Nonaka's reign sadly came to an end less than a year after this bout when he was out pointed by Akio Shibata and lost both the Japanese title and the OPBF title. By then however no one doubted his ability like they did earlier in his career when he had suffered a disproportionate number of losses.

(Footage courtesy of shibatakenji2517)