Kenshiro Teraji Looking to Recapture the Title Against Masamichi Yabuki
One of boxing’s bigger upsets of 2021 was Masamichi Yabuki’s (13-2, 12 KOs) tenth-round stoppage win over Kenshiro Teraji (18-1, 10 KOs) to capture to WBC junior flyweight title in September of that year. Representatives of Teraji stated that the former champ wanted an immediate rematch. In November of 2021, 3Kings Boxing reported that both fighters had agreed to a rematch. Here’s an update on when and where it will happen.
At a press conference at the Shinsei Gym in Kobe, Japan, it was announced that Masamichi-Teraji II will happen on March 19 at the Kyoto City Gymnasium in Kyoto, Japan. Both fighters attended a press conference announcing the fight.
READY TO DO IT AGAIN
Masamichi understands limitations and acknowledges that he’s not the most talented fighter around. According to the source Asian Boxing, the defending champ explained to the media that his mental makeup is the secret sauce. He also added that another key to the fight will be conditioning – something he plans on enhancing this time around.
(Translated from Japanese) “The opponent is a fighter with higher overall skill than myself. Just like last time, I just fight with the challenger spirit and defend firmly […] We are trying to improve our physical strength by strengthening our running for the rematch.”
Masamichi Yabuki, WBC junior flyweight champion
As for Kenshiro Teraji, his message is very clear. The former champ is motivated and on a mission to win back the title
“I am lucky to have a rematch immediately. I want to seize this opportunity and return to the championship”.
Kenshiro Teraji
The former champ also made it a point to voice his displeasure with the officials of the first fight. His complaint echoes that of his father/promoter Hisashi Teraji, and lawyer Nobuyoshi Tsujigichi. They bitterly complained about headbutts and the Japanese Boxing Commission’s (JBC) decision to not take any action after post-fight videos showed Masimichi was guilty of that infraction on numerous occasions.
WILL THINGS CHANGE?
Heading into their first fight, Teraji was on a roll. Having made eight successful defenses of the title, the 30-year-old aspired to set the record for most world junior flyweight defenses by a Japanese fighter. But, Yabuki used his length and jab to frustrate the then-champ and won the early rounds.
Teraji rallied in the middle rounds and looked on the verge of a come-from-behind stoppage early in round nine. However, following a cut over the right eye of Teraji, Yabuki rallied. Catching a second wind, he went on an all-out assault, badly hurting Teraji before dramatically finishing him.
An underlying subplot was that Teraji entered the fight coming off a bout with COVID-19. Some observers felt he was not 100 percent going in. Coming into their second fight, can he turn the table? Or, does the hard-hitting Masimichi have his number? Those questions will be answered on March 19.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
