By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Naoki Fukuda
Unheralded underdog Masamichi Yabuki (13-3, 12 KOs), 107.75, surprisingly captured the WBC 108-pound belt as he survived a crisis in the ninth and caught up with previously unbeaten defending champ Kenshiro Teraji (18-1, 10 KOs), 107.5, with a flurry of unanswered punches, which finally prompted the referee Yuji Fukuchi’s intervention on Wednesday in Kyoto, Japan. Prior to the stoppage, Yabuki was leading on points: Hisatoshi Miyazaki 86-85, Masahiro Noda 87-84 and Yoshikazu Furuta 88-83. All were Japanese judges because of the coronavirus pandemic that prevented any foreign officials to enter this country.
Originally slated on September 10, the champ Kenshiro tested positive for Covid in a PCR test in the end of August, was forced to stay at home for ten days and resumed training from September 6. Even if he recovered well and was confident enough, was his only 16-day preparation truly enough for him to regain his best shape? His father/manager and ex-OPBF light heavyweight champ Hisashi Teraji replied after the bitter defeat said, “His condition was good, if not best.” Continue reading “Full Report: Yabuki Dethrones Teraji”
By Joe Koizumi Photos by Naoki Fukuda Unheralded underdog Masamichi Yabuki (13-3, 12 KOs), 107.75, surprisingly captured the WBC 108-pound belt as he survived a crisis in the ninth and…
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