WBC Special Preview: Teraji vs Sandoval 

WBC STATISTICS

WBC Flyweight World Championship

July 30, 2025 / Yokohama, Japan / Yokohama Buntai

TEIKEN PROMOTIONS PRESENTS:

KENSHIRO “The Amazing Boy” TERAJI (Japan)

• WBC Flyweight World Champion, 2nd Defense
• WBA Flyweight World Champion, 1st Defense
• Former two-time WBC Light Flyweight World Champion, 12 Title Defenses
• Former WBC Youth Light Flyweight Champion
• Former Oriental & Pacific Boxing Federation Light Flyweight Champion

Age: 33 / Date of birth: January 6, 1992

Residence: Uji, Kyoto, Japan / Birthplace: Joyo, Kyoto, Japan

Record: 25-1, 16 KOs / Total rounds: 197 / World championship fights: 16-1, 11 KOs

Height: 5’4.5” – 164cm / Reach: 64” – 163cm / Stance: Right-handed

RICARDO “El Nino” SANDOVAL (USA)

• Ranked WBC No. 2 at Flyweight
• Former WBC Silver Flyweight Champion
• Former WBC Intercontinental Youth Flyweight Champion

Age: 26 / Date of birth: February 5, 1999

Residence: Rialto, California / Birthplace: Montclair, California

Record: 26-2, 18 KOs / Total rounds: 155

Height: 5’6” – 168cm / Reach: 67” – 170cm / Stance: Right-handed

WBC FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS

1. Pone Kingpetch (Thai) 1963
2. Hiroyuki Ebihara (Jap) 1963 – 1964
3. Pone Kingpetch (Thai) * 1964 – 1965
4. Salvatore Burruni (Italy) 1965 – 1966
5. Walter McGowan (GB) 1966
6. Chartchai Chionoi (Thai) 1966 – 1969
7. Efren Torres (Mex) 1969 – 1970
8. Chartchai Chionoi (Thai) * 1970
9. Erbito Salavarria (Phil) 1970 – 1971
10. Betulio Gonzalez (Ven) 1972
11. Venice Borkorsor (Thai) 1972 – 1973
12. Betulio Gonzalez (Ven) * 1973 – 1974
13. Shoji Oguma (Jap) 1974 – 1975
14. Miguel Canto (Mex) 1975 – 1979
15. Chan-Hee Park (Kor) 1979 – 1980
16. Shoji Oguma (Japan) * 1980 – 1981
17. Antonio Avelar (Mex) 1981 – 1982
18. Prudencio Cardona (Col) 1982
19. Freddie Castillo (Mex) 1982
20. Eleoncio Mercedes (DR) 1982 – 1983
21. Charlie Magri (GB) 1983
22. Frank Cedeño (Phil) 1983 – 1984
23. Koji Kobayashi (Jap) 1984
24. Gabriel Bernal (Mex) 1984
25. Sot Chitalada (Thai) 1984 – 1988
26. Yong-Kang Kim (Kor) 1988 – 1989
27. Sot Chitalada (Thai) * 1989 – 1991
28. Muangchai Kittikasem (Thai) 1991 – 1992
29. Yuri Arbachakov (Russia) 1992 – 1996
30. Chatchai Sasakul (Thai) 1997 – 1998
31. Manny Pacquiao (Phil) 1998 – 1999
32. Medgoen Singsurat (Thai) 1999 – 2000
33. Malcolm Tunacao (Phil) 2000 – 2001
34. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thai  2001 – 2007
35. Jorge Arce (Mexico) Interim 2005 – 2006
36. Daisuke Naito (Japan) 2007 – 2009
37. P. Wonjongkam (Thai) Interim * 2009
38. Koki Kameda (Japan) 2009 – 2010
39. Pong. Wonjongkam (Thai) * 2010 – 2012
40. Sonny Boy Jaro (Phil) 2012
41. Toshiyuki Igarashi (Japan) 2012 – 2013
42. Akira Yaegashi (Japan) 2013 – 2014
43. Roman Gonzalez (Nic) 2014 – 2016
44. Juan Hernandez (Mexico) 2017
45. Daigo Higa (Japan) 2017 – 2018
46. Cristofer Rosales (Nic) 2018
47. Charlie Edwards (GB) 2018 – 2019
48. Julio Cesar Martinez (Mexico) 2019 – 2024
49. Kenshiro Teraji (Japan) 2024 –

*Regained

WBC TOP 10 FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS

1. Miguel Canto (Mexico)
2. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand)
3. Chartchai Chionoi (Thailand)
4. Efren Torres (Mexico)
5. Yuri Arbachakov (Russia)
6. Roman Gonzalez (Nicaragua)
7. Sot Chitalada (Thailand)
8. Akira Yaegashi (Japan)
9. Betulio Gonzalez (Venezuela)
10. Shoji Oguma (Japan)

GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE FLYWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY

43 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only six have regained the title: Pone Kingpetch (Thailand), Chartchai Chionoi (Thailand), Betulio Gonzalez (Venezuela), Shoji Oguma (Japan), Sot Chitalada (Thailand), Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand).

159 flyweight world championship bouts have been held in WBC history.

MEMORABLE WBC FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS:

Mar. 13, 2025   Kenshiro Teraji TKO12 Seigo Yuri Akui – Tokyo, Japan

Oct. 13, 2024   Kenshiro Teraji TKO11 Cristofer Rosales – Tokyo, Japan

May 6, 2023 Julio Cesar Martinez TKO11 Ronal Batista – Zapopan, Jalisco

Dec. 3, 2022 Julio Cesar Martinez W12 Samuel Carmona – Glendale, Arizona

June 26, 2021  Julio Cesar Martinez TKO6 Joel Cordova – Guadalajara, Jalisco

Oct. 23, 2020   Julio Cesar Martinez TKO2 Moises Calleros – Mexico City, Distrito Federal

Dec. 20, 2019   Julio Cesar Martinez TKO9 Cristofer Rosales – Phoenix, Arizona

Dec. 22, 2018   Charlie Edwards W12 Cristofer Rosales – London, England

Apr. 15, 2018   Cristofer Rosales TKO9 Daigo Higa – Kanagawa, Japan

May 20, 2017   Daigo Higa TKO6 Juan Hernandez – Tokyo, Japan

Apr. 23, 2016   Roman Gonzalez W12 McWilliams Arroyo – Inglewood, California

Sep. 5, 2014 Roman Gonzalez TKO9 Akira Yaegashi – Tokyo, Japan

Apr. 8, 2013 Akira Yaegashi W12 Toshiyuki Igarashi – Tokyo, Japan

Mar. 27, 2010   Pongsaklek Wonjongkam W12 Koki Kameda – Tokyo, Japan

Nov. 29, 2009   Koki Kameda W12 Daisuke Naito – Saitama, Japan

July 18, 2007 Daisuke Naito W12 Pongsaklek Wonjongkam – Tokyo, Japan

July 30, 2005 Jorge Arce TKO3 Angel Priolo – La Paz, Baja California

Mar. 2, 2001 Pongsaklek Wonjongkam TKO1 Malcolm Tunacao – Phichit, Thailand

Sep. 17, 1999   Boonsai Sansurat TKO3 Manny Pacquiao – Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand

Dec. 4, 1998 Manny Pacquiao KO8 Chatchai Sasakul – Phuttamonthon, Thailand

May 9, 1997 Chatchai Sasakul W12 Ysaias Zamudio – Bangkok, Thailand

June 23, 1992  Yuri Arbachakov KO8 Muangchai Kittikasem – Tokyo, Japan

Feb. 15, 1991   Muangchai Kittikasem TKO6 Sot Chitalada – Ayutthaya, Thailand

Oct. 8, 1984 Sot Chitalada W12 Gabriel Bernal – Bangkok, Thailand

Mar. 15, 1983   Charlie Magri TKO7 Eleoncio Mercedes – London, England

May 18, 1980   Shoji Oguma KO9 Chan-Hee Park – Seoul, Korea

Jan. 8, 1975 Miguel Canto W15 Shoji Oguma – Sendai, Japan

Aug. 4, 1973 Betulio Gonzalez W15 Miguel Canto – Maracaibo, Venezuela

Feb. 23, 1969   Efren Torres TKO8 Chartchai Chionoi – Mexico City, Distrito Federal

Dec. 30, 1966   Chartchai Chionoi TKO9 Walter McGowan – Bangkok, Thailand

Sep. 18, 1963   Pone Kingpetch KO1 Hiroyuki Ebihara – Tokyo, Japan

Boys will be Boys

By James Blears

Kenshiro ‘’The Amazing Boy’’ will defend his unified flyweight title for the first time with the venue being Yokohama Buntai, Yokohama on Wednesday July 30th against Ricardo Rafael ‘’El Nino’’ Sandoval.

North, South, East and West…home is best. Unlike Naoya Inoue or Junto Nakatani, Kenshiro hasn`t yet ventured outside Japan, let alone East of Eden. He has brilliantly won his light flyweight and flyweight titles on home turf. Rafael who is from Rialto, California, has a long journey before, orientating himself to contest his first world title.

To date, the only stuttering stumble in Kenshiro`s career came when he tried to return to the ring too soon after contracting covid and the lingering after effects weakened his slender body. Back then none of us really knew how the virus affected the immune system and what it was capable of inflicting, over a given time scale. He was a mere shadow of himself in defending his WBC light flyweight title against capable and well- conditioned Masamichi Yabuki, being TKO`s in ten rounds. Towards the end of that fight, normally robust Kenshiro who is as strong as a lion, was as weak as a kitten. Yet in the rematch, a fully recovered Kenshiro roared back and went though Masamichi like a dose of salts, KO`ing him in three one-sided overwhelming rounds. Point conclusively proved. He was back!

Yet since that time, Kenshiro hasn`t been able to stop any of his ensuing six opponents in less than seven rounds. One went the full distance and with the other, it took everything he had, to inflict a last gasp stoppage. The gradient is getting ever steeper and the first flush of youth is now long gone, as Kenshiro is now thirty- three. The author John Updike wrote: ‘’Life is a hill that gets steeper, the more you climb.’’ The ancient Greek poet Hesiod summed it up by writing: ‘’In front of excellence, the immortal Gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it.’’

Two fights in particular have proved to be stern acid tests for Kenshiro and how much have they taken out of him, viz wear and tear imparting corrosion? They have sorely tested him, his dig deep resolve, pushing his will to win, to the limit and he has proved his championship mettle by coming through both with grit and determination. They were gruelling ordeals.

A great champion can be measured, assessed and judged by how he deals with adversity, specifically when the yellow brick road, transforms into a highway to hell.

In his second reign as WBC light flyweight champion, he took on the barrel- chested Carlos Canizales and it proved a marathon plus something of a nightmare. Things were initially going all Kenshiro`s

way, and it seemed like it was going to be a short night in Osaka, when he dropped Carlos with a sweeping right in round two. But Carlos got up and fiercely fought back, knocking down Kenshiro with his own big right, one round later. Things got progressively harder, with Carlos landing a high percentage of jarring straight and curving scimitar rights on Kenshiro, who to his credit, absorbed them and fought back with two handed salvos. Yet he was under the cosh by round ten and milling on the retreat in the final round, evading, laterally and literally elusive. He deservedly won a MD, but it was close and it was noticeably uncomfortable.

Kenshiro moved up to flyweight contesting the vacant WBC title, taking on former light flyweight champion Cristofer ‘’The Whip’’ Rosales, dominating and winning via a TKO in nine one sided rounds. Then came his biggest career test under fire, against WBA flyweight champion and compatriot Seigo Yuri Akui.

It was an intense to and fro battle of wills with neither man readily prepared to cede ground and retreat. Again, Kenshiro was getting caught with a lot of straight rights and overhead rights. Yet he proved that he has a strong chin and durable resolve, as he didn`t flinch, soaked them up and came back with his own attack.

Seigo was ahead on two the Judges` cards going into the final round. It was now or never! Kenshiro sensed the fight was ebbing away, he needed to turn the tide, and it was evident that his opponent was spent, only having the vestige of dregs to offer. So, with impeccable timing, this is where he showed his class and sheer ruthless brilliance.

He gritted his teeth and launched a blistering, lambasting attack on Seigo, whose nose was bleeding heavily and had a badly cut lip, teetering on rubbery legs. Sheer willpower propelled Kenshiro forward and he bombarded Seigo with unremitting stiletto combinations. Groggy and exhausted, Seigo was saved by the enwrapping arms of the Referee and from him, there was no complaint, just copious tears of disappointment. He`d tried his utmost but come up short.

Kenshiro had been reached the brink, but then pulled victory back from the jaws of defeat. He said: ‘’Seigo was mentally strong. This will boost my future.’’ He even mentioned WBC/WBO super-flyweight champion Jessie ‘’Bam’’ Rodriguez as being on his future wish list hit list.

Kenshiro has built a very impressive record of 25-1, 16 KO`s winning world titles at two different weights. Smiling, courteous and affable minus any snap or snarl menace, he`s a ruthlessly efficient classy operator and cool customer in the ring. Yet… previously he has launched his attacks with lightning speed and then proved quick-silver elusive, retreating in nippy fashion, after landing his blows. Noticeably, over his most recent several fights, he`s getting tagged appreciably more often, particularly with the blight of the right. This proves his durability under fire, although it`s noticeable he`s not as nimble, supple or versatile as he once was. None of us are. The fundamental things apply…as time goes by.

Ricardo, as his nickname of Nino suggests is still baby-faced. Young and tender. Aged twenty- six he`s seven years younger than the champion. Ricardo turned pro in 2016, two years after Kenshiro. So far, he`s fought 155 rounds. Kenshiro has fought 197 rounds, against a higher calibre of opponent. Ricardo has fought mostly in his home State of California, but also in Mexico and Canada. His record is 26-2, 18 KO`s. He`s never been stopped. He`s won the WBC Youth Intercontinental flyweight Belt, but this is his first tilt at the big time and it`s a long way from home.

It`s a daunting challenge. To win he`ll need to accomplish the fight of his life, tap and channel the fountain of youth and expose Kenshiro`s recent tendency and vulnerability in getting tagged with big right hands. The Japanese fans are polite and welcoming to visiting fighters, the officiating is scrupulously fair and honest, but Ricardo is in an environment that he`s never experienced before, while the champion is on home turf.

Ricardo Rafael needs a RR-Rolls Royce acceleration to defeat the elite and unseat Kenshiro. He has good credentials. He lost his fifth fight to Alfonso Ceja by MD in Tijuana. But his first big test was against one time WBC title challenger Jay Harris in an IBF eliminator and he won via KO in round eight. Ricardo fought David Jimenez in a WBA eliminator. He was knocked down in round seven but got up and fought back well. That visit to the canvass meant he lost a close MD. But still he persisted.

As recently as February, he went ten testing rounds to defeat teak tough Saleto Hunderson and win the WBO Silver flyweight title via UD at the Honda Center, Anaheim. Now he`ll need to rev up seeking poll position on the grid in Japan for his biggest formula uno, numero uno test. He`s two inches taller than Kenshiro. He needs to use this height advantage and to win, he must force the champion on to the back foot. Kenshiro is a superb attacking fighter, but nowhere near as effective milling on the retreat. Yet, Floyd Mayweather Jr once said: ‘’A true champion can adapt to anything.’’

As champion, Kenshiro`s ethos will be to train with the intensity and hunger of a challenger. While RR must train like a champion. It`s not about feelings it`s more about filling gaps, exploiting vulnerabilities and capitalizing upon mistakes. Manny Pacquiao said this: ‘’Boxing is not about feelings, it`s about performance,’’

At one time every champion was a challenger. The ones who make it, seized opportunity with both hands when it knocked, and are then singularly, stingingly determined to keep what`s theirs`. Jack Dempsey succinctly said: ‘’Nobody owes anybody a living, but everyone is entitled to a chance.’