WBC flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji has told local media in Japan of his intention to become the undisputed limit champion.
Kenshiro Teraji, the former WBA and WBC semi-flyweight champion, turns 33 on Monday (January 6) and admits he doesn’t have the time left in his career. “If unifications seem impossible,” he said, “I might move up a weight class. I try not to commit myself.”
Teraji had an extremely impressive run in the 49 kg weight class, winning the WBC title against Ganigan Lopez in just his tenth professional fight. The “Amazing Boy” defended his title eight times before suffering the only defeat of his career against power puncher Masamichi Yabuki in September 2021. Teraji immediately regained his title in a rematch against Yabuki, knocking him down in three rounds, and then unified with WBA titlist Hiroto Kyoguchi. In the best performance of his career, Teraji dominated Kyoguchi, winning every single round and scoring two knockdowns en route to his seventh-round victory.
One fight, one title
Teraji defended his titles three more times in the weight class before moving to flyweight in October 2024. Teraji immediately took part in a world title fight when he faced former champion Cristofer Rosales for the vacant WBC title. He dominated the Nicaraguan and stopped him in the 11th round.
On the same night that Teraji won his title against Rosales, WBA champion Seigo Yuri Akui defended his title against Thananchai Charunphak by split decision. Since that night, there have been several reports of a unification of the WBC and WBA titles, with Teraji’s team even petitioning the WBC at the WBC Congress to get permission for a unification instead of facing mandatory challenger Francisco Rodríguez Jr. This petition was accepted. The latest rumor about a possible Teraji vs Akui fight is set for late March. However, it remains to be seen whether this will actually materialize.
Text by Robin Josten