It led to a testing time for the 29-year-old southpaw, who holds his hands up that his countryman was the better man on the night.

"I prepared thoroughly for that fight and I lost, so I didn't dwell on the loss," Nishida (10-1, 2 KOs) told The Ring. "But I haven't forgotten the disappointment.

"I'm determined to make a comeback, determined not to lose again."

Nishida will begin that journey when he steps up to junior featherweight and takes on dangerous Mexican Bryan Mercado at Sumiyoshi SportsCenter in Osaka, Japan, on Sunday.

"I'm very excited to be facing a strong, highly regarded fighter," he said.

In the build up, Nishida was given further reason to succeed.

"My second child, a girl, was born on January 19," he said. "With our family growing, I'm even more motivated to work hard."

Mercado looks a difficult proposition for Nishida in his first fight at 122 pounds.

It appeared Nishida would face the more shop-worn Jerwin Ancajas, who held a world title at junior bantamweight, but he surprised many by announcing in early January that he'd take on Mercado.

Nishida welcomed the more difficult assignment.

"It motivates me and puts me in training hard," he said. "I also believe that winning against a strong opponent will give me confidence and help me raise my own level."

If he emerges victorious he would be in line to face the winner of The Ring and undisputed champion Naoya Inoue vs. Junto Nakatani, if that fight takes place this year as widely anticipated.

Nishida will be an interested observer.

"I lost to Nakatani, so I'd like him to win and get revenge, but if I were to predict the outcome, I still think Inoue has the advantage," he said. "That's because Inoue is a fighter with really high abilities in all areas."

Mercado (32-1, 26 KOs), meanwhile, turned professional in 2014. The Ring's No. 9 junior featherweight contender has reeled off 31 consecutive wins since losing his second fight, a four-round split decision, against Rigoberto Nava in September 2015.

His most notable victories are stoppage wins over South Africa's Mzuvukile Magwaca (TKO1) and longtime Filipino contender Arthur Villanueva (KO9), and a 10-round points victory over former world title challenger Jose Velasquez (UD10).