Kenshiro Teraji, the reigning WBA/WBC and Ring Journal gentle flyweight ruler, is likely one of the finest fighters on this planet at this time. A star in Japan solely, “The Wonderful Boy” has an concept to maybe treatment this in a while this 12 months. This coming Tuesday (January 23), Teraji, 22-1(14) will defend his 108 pound belts in opposition to Carlos Canizales, this in his homeland, and the 32 12 months outdated has a few plans for what may come afterwards.
Teraji insists he’s under no circumstances wanting previous Venezuela’s Canizales, who’s at present 26-1-1(19) and is coming in off 4 straight wins since shedding for the one and solely time up to now in his profession, however he says he desires both a unification struggle afterwards, or a struggle with new star Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez. And, as he defined to The Sporting Information, Teraji is keen to journey to get the struggle with Bam.
Teraji, who says he desires to win “as many belts as potential,” says he would undoubtedly transfer as much as 112 kilos for a struggle with Bam. However first comes the problem of 30 12 months outdated Canizales.
“I’m excited for this struggle, he’s a tricky opponent,” Teraji mentioned of his upcoming challenger. “He has sturdy fingers and might use his footwork very skilfully. However I really feel I’m higher than him no matter he brings.”
Teraji, who has given us some nice fights and a few particular performances throughout his 23-fight professional profession (the only real loss, to Masamichi Yabuki, emphatically avenged), has all of the components to be an enormous star. All apart a big-name dance accomplice, that’s. Enter, perhaps, Bam.
“At this level, I can’t think about how the [Bam Rodriguez] struggle will look,” Teraji mentioned. “If they need me to struggle outdoors of Japan, I’ll be joyful to struggle anyplace. I do wish to be an undisputed champion however transferring up a division appears attention-grabbing as properly. If I can’t get the fights to develop into undisputed, I could transfer up. I wish to accumulate as many belts as potential.”
A struggle between Teraji and Bam Rodriguez would nearly actually lead to a terrific struggle, a fairly fascinating struggle. Rodriguez, final seen dominating and stopping Sunny Edwards to unify two belts at flyweight, has mentioned he might transfer up in weight himself in his subsequent struggle, this again as much as 115 kilos the place Bam beforehand held the WBC title. If this occurs, we in all probability gained’t get Rodriguez Vs. Teraji, which might be a disgrace.
Nonetheless, nothing is ready in stone and it’s nice that Teraji has acknowledged he’s keen to struggle outdoors of Japan. Ought to he handle enterprise in opposition to Canizales on Tuesday, Teraji might be on the hunt for an enormous struggle, whether or not it’s at 108 or at 112 kilos. We should always take pleasure in and admire Teraji whereas he’s preventing on the prime of his recreation. Age 32 might be considerably superior for somewhat man of the game, so Teraji desires large fights solely from right here on in.
We should always all tune in and watch this terrific little fighter do his factor whereas he’s right here. Boxing is admittedly buzzing in Japan proper now, what with Teraji, Kazuto Ioka and naturally, Naoya Inoue doing their stuff. What a disgrace Teraji and Inoue are far too far aside in weight to have the ability to struggle one another.
Teraji’s struggle in opposition to Canizales will mark his fifteenth world title struggle. Teraji first grew to become champion again in Might of 2017.
