By Joe Koizumi
Newly crowned WBC 108-pound champion Masamichi Yabuki (13-3, 12 KOs), 29, will face former titlist Kenshiro Teraji (18-1, 10 KOs), 30, in his initial defense in Kyoto, Japan, on March 19. Yabuki dethroned Teraji by an upset tenth-round TKO victory last September, and it will be his direct rematch with the ex-champ. Teraji (the outboxer) party claimed that Yabuki (the aggressive puncher) committed an intentional headbutt in round nine, which eventually resulted in an unexpected forfeiture of the previously undefeated Teraji. Did Sugar Ray Robinson claim Carmen Basilio’s intentional butt after their first encounter in 1957? As the WBC ordered, their rematch may solve all disputes between the still hostile parties. Time will tell.
I just rewatched that ninth round. Kenshiro might have a point actually. About halfway through he was having a good spell, looked like Yabuki was hurt to the body and he lunged in with the top of his head, he was leading with his head the entire fight, but this one seemed a little more vicious. Teraji did recover though and hurt Yabuki again to the body before the end of the round. Probably one of the best rounds of the year, actually.
I got Kenshiro in the rematch.
They both look like a couple of banditos.