Juan Francisco Estrada has identified a transparent path back into the title picture, and it runs through Tokyo relatively than through probably the most dangerous names at bantamweight.
The previous unified junior bantamweight champion Estrada will face Tenshin Nasukawa in a WBC 118 pound eliminator on April 11 in Japan. The winner moves into position to challenge WBC titleholder Takuma Inoue.At 35, Estrada is managing risk. He’s moving toward opportunity without moving into the division’s most dangerous traffic.
Tokyo Eliminator Route
Estrada returned last June with a ten round decision over Karim Arce Lugo at bantamweight, a fight that served as re entry relatively than proof of dominance. The bout reintroduced him to the load class after his 2024 knockout loss to Jesse Rodriguez, nevertheless it didn’t establish him because the clear standout contender at 118. The WBC rating did that.
Nasukawa stays higher known for his kickboxing profession than for a deep boxing record, though he has committed fully to the game and already challenged for a world title. He’s younger and quicker than Estrada, and in Japan, he draws, which makes this event significant locally. What he has not yet shown is sustained success against seasoned championship operators.
Takuma Inoue holds the WBC belt, and while he’s organized and regular within the ring, he has never separated himself as a dominant force within the division. His loss to Nordine Oubaali stays a part of the image, and his reign has not erased doubts about how he handles sustained pressure from experienced fighters.
Testing What Stays
For Estrada, the chance is obvious. A win in Japan places him directly in line for a title shot against a champion many view as beatable. The move reflects timing and careful positioning late in his profession.
The query now is whether or not the fighter who edged Roman Gonzalez in 2021 still exists in enough measure to hold him through yet another significant run. April will offer a clearer answer than any rating ever could.
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Last Updated on 02/11/2026