By Joe Koizumi
Former champ Kenshiro Teraji (19-1, 11 KOs), 107.5, Japan, impressively regained the WBC light-flyweight belt as he exploded a smashing right to defending titlist Masamichi Yabuki (13-4, 12 KOs), 107.75, and finished him for the count at 1:11 of the third round on Saturday in Kyoto, Japan. Kenshiro took the initiative from the outset and kept stalking the stiff and nervous champ all the way. A well-timed right to the face was the haymaker that made Teraji avenge his previous TKO defeat and forfeiture of the belt last September.
(More to come)
I thought that would happen. I didn’t think it would be this quick, it sounds like Yabuki never even got going, but I figured Teraji would take it. Probably no need for a trilogy here.
Agreed. Teraji is one of the best little guys around. Was surprised and disappointed that he lost in November. I wonder if he took Yabuki too lightly the first time?
Glad he has his title back. Be great to see him against Tanaka, Kyoguchi, Yunto Nakatana… its always been a shame that these aren’t more appreciated in the U.S.
I think Yabuki fought the absolute fight of his life in that first fight and Teraji fought either as bad or as close to as bad as he can fight and probably did take him lightly as you said. Kyoguchi is injured now and when he gets back, he’ll have Bermudez – Canizales rematch winner waiting on him, but you’re right, there’re so many other excellent matches down there for Teraji right now. Good on Yabuki though, probably no one ever thought he’d be world champion after the career he had and he made it.