This will be Rodriguez's first title defence after he won the vacant title last August with a unanimous decision victory over Melving Lopez. 

Nishida is just eight fights into his professional boxing career ahead of what will be his first world title shot, but will he be able to deliver on the big stage? 

Here's everything you need to know ahead of Rodriguez vs. Nishida.

Rodriguez vs. Nishida fight date, start time

• Date: Saturday, May 4
• Time: TBA
• Main event ringwalks (approx): 8 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. UK

The Rodriguez vs. Nishida ringwalks are scheduled for 8 a.m. ET / 1 p.m. UK, but these timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights. A start time for the event has not been confirmed at the time of writing. 

What channel/stream is Rodriguez vs. Nishida?

• U.S.: TBA
• UK: TBA

Broadcasters for the U.S. and UK have not been confirmed at the time of writing. 

Where is the Rodriguez vs. Nishida fight?

The fight will take place at the Edion Arena Osaka in Osaka, Japan. 

 

Emmanuel Rodriguez record and bio

• Nationality: Puerto Rican
• Date of birth: August 8, 1992
• Height: 5' 6"  
• Reach: 66.5"  
• Total fights: 24  
• Record: 22-2 (13 KOs)  

Ryosuke Nishida record and bio

• Nationality: Japanese  
• Date of birth: August 7, 1996  
• Height: 5' 7"  
• Reach: 68"  
• Total fights: 8  
• Record: 8-0 (1 KO)  

Rodriguez vs. Nishida fight card

• Emmanuel Rodriguez vs. Ryosuke Nishida; For Rodriguez's IBF bantamweight title 
• Teru Nobita vs. GuiMing Li; Bantamweight
• Hisayuki Kinjo vs. Daisuke Yokoyama; Light flyweight
• Ryuta Kinjo vs. Hiromu Tadokoro; Super bantamweight 
• Shota Torii vs. Ippei Kataoka; Welterweight
• Akihiro Kudo vs. Yukahiro Suzuki; Super flyweight
• Yota Sato vs. Haruka Hokamura; Featherweight
• Yudai Masumoto vs. Ruin Odani; Super bantamweight