Kenshiro Teraji didn’t take very lengthy to develop comfy at flyweight.
The previous RING and unified junior flyweight champion grew to become a two-division titlist after an eleventh spherical stoppage of Nicaragua’s Cristofer Rosales. A damaged nostril was the figuring out issue by the ringside doctor to advise referee Laurence Cole to cease the competition.
Teraji claimed the vacant WBC flyweight title with the win Sunday at Ariake Area in Tokyo.
“I’m very relieved,” Teraji stated via in-ring translator Mizuka Koike. “I skilled laborious to impress my followers. I consider I’ve achieved that tonight.”
Teraji (24-1, 15 knockouts) jumped out to a powerful begin at a weight lengthy acquainted to Rosales, who as soon as held the very title at stake.
Rosales (37-7, 22 KOs) scored an upset knockout win over Daigo Higa in April 2018 to win the belt in Yokohama, Japan. He misplaced the belt by yr’s finish after one profitable protection.
The visiting Nicaraguan returned to Tokyo with way more acquainted firm this time round. Rosales now trains with Eddy Reynoso and was accompanied by four-division champ Saul ‘Canelo ‘Alvarez (62-2-2, 39 KOs).
As motivating because it was, Rosales nonetheless needed to combat the great combat all on his personal.
Teraji was a step forward all through the competition, although certainly not flawless. Rosales managed to sneak in just a few proper arms, which Teraji all the time dealt with effectively.
Neither fighter hit the canvas however Rosales was badly rocked by a Teraji proper within the third. He was briefly in bother however managed to regular his legs.
The injury was already achieved by that time, although, and would issue into the night time’s finish. The sequence left Rosales with a damaged nostril which put him on borrowed time.
Rosales managed to get on the scoreboard on one card due to a aggressive fourth. Teraji was tagged with a proper hand however shook off the blow and continued to return ahead.
Teraji was forward 40-36, 40-36 and 39-37 via 4 rounds, as introduced through WBC’s open scoring coverage. He added to his lead within the ensuing rounds and left Rosales to the purpose of no return via eight rounds.
Of far better concern than narrowing the hole on the playing cards was discovering a means for Rosales to make it to the bell. His nostril continued to worsen to the place it visibly affected his respiratory. Teraji was regular on his assault, not losing any punches or motion.
Time was known as in the beginning of the eleventh spherical to permit the physician to look at Rosales. It was simply lengthy sufficient to find out that the previous titlist was now not match to proceed.
Rosales snapped a five-fight win streak with the setback. He’s now 2-3 in title fights, all with the WBC flyweight belt at stake.
The event noticed Teraji enhance to 15-1 in title fights now spanning two weight divisions. Someday, he can have an opportunity to relive the second.
“I used to be very nervous after I walked into the ring,” admitted Teraji. “The night time was a blur, I actually don’t keep in mind what it felt like, I used to be simply centered on victory.
“I used to be a bit cautious in the course of the combat. However I hope to indicate the brand new me throughout my second title reign. I’ll proceed to get higher.”
The belt was made accessible after Julio Cesar Martinez vacated to compete at junior bantamweight. The troubled former titlist defeated Rosales to win the WBC title in Dec. 2019.
Teraji was deep into his first WBC junior flyweight title reign at the moment. He made eight profitable defenses earlier than he was dethroned by countryman Masamichi Yabuki of their terrific Sept. 2021 affair. A tenth-round knockout stays Teraji’s lone profession defeat, one which got here on the tail finish of recovering from Covid.
Revenge got here simply six months later. Teraji was at full well being for his or her March 2022 rematch, which he gained through third spherical knockout to regain his title. The RING championship and the WBA title had been added one combat later. Teraji claimed a stunningly one-sided eighth-round knockout of then-unbeaten countryman Hiroto Kyoguchi in tbeir Nov. 2022 unification bout.
Three championship defenses adopted earlier than Teraji left behind the crown in June to marketing campaign at flyweight. Now again on the title stage, the purpose is so as to add extra belts.
“Title unification is all the time on my thoughts,” acknowledged Teraji. “There may be one other flyweight title combat on day two of this weekend (WBO titlist Anthony Olascuaga versus Jonathan Gonzalez). Hopefully after that we are going to have one thing to announce.”
