Kenshiro Vs Yabuki Rematch – Vindication or Confirmation? + WBC Stats

By James Blears

Kenshiro Teraji has the almost immediate chance to regain the WBC light flyweight title on March 19^th, which he`d held from May 2017 to September last year, but to achieve this, he must overcome iron willed Masamichi Yabuki, who dethroned him with a ten round TKO, and is now the worthy champion.

Fight one, which was at the Kyoto City Gym, was scheduled for September 10^th, but was postponed for twelve days, because Kenshiro and his Trainer has tested positive for the Covid 19 virus. Kenshiro says that he now realizes that he still wasn`t fully over the illness, when he climbed into the ring, and it markedly blunted the edge of his energy, thus performance.

The lingering effects of coronavirus have dramatically affected a number of world title fights, significantly diminishing the physical capacity of boxers. As we learn more about the virus, we appreciate that extra time is needed to recover from its effects and each individual`s reaction is different, needing careful monitoring.

This should not take anything away from the performance of Masamichi (13-3, 12 KO`s) who fought the fight of his life, and came back from the brink of defeat, to achieve his tremendous sheer grit victory.

From the outset, tousled haired Kenshiro (18-1, 10 KO`s) appeared out of sorts and not able to establish his usual smooth attacking rhythm.  The normally impeccable footwork, which neatly allows him to dart in, inflect damage and move out and away, wasn`t in sync and he wasn`t landing as many punches, cleanly as he tends to do.

Masamichi, who sported a ginger crew cut, was single mindedly disciplined in counter punching with calm disciplined, rigid accuracy, having success especially with long jarring right hands. He was in splendid shape and from the outset, his boxing strategy was smart, patient and adroit, with excellent hands held high defense.

By contrast, Kenshiro, who was doing most of the chasing had an appreciably more relaxed and lower guard, but often as not was only connecting with single punches, at the cost of walking into clusters of stiff counters.

By the half way mark, it was becoming obvious to the fans, seated on metal chairs, distanced in an informal if not makeshift manner, reminiscent of a high school varsity match, that the champion was trailing on the scorecards. Baby faced Kenshiro, aged thirty, is a year older than Masamichi, but looks so much younger, now had a swelled visage.  This had been caused by a welter of accurately landed punches, but there had also been clashes of heads and one of them had opened a nasty gash over Kenshiro`s right eye. His corner complained bitterly about this.

From the eighth round Kenshiro showed an extra urgency and applied himself to the task with appreciably more vigor plus purpose, aware that if he didn`t do something special and soon, the fight could and would slip away from him. He was backing up the challenger and throwing multiple combinations and sinking body shots, which were slowing Masamichi, tiring him and reducing the pace to a leaden plod, so he became appreciably less elusive. A lot easier to find and catch.

To the un-initiated fan of Japanese boxing, the constant clacking of fans on the seats by the crowd, can be confused for the louder crack, indicating ten seconds remaining in the round. Every time a hard punch was landed by either fighter, there was a roar. Japanese fans are savvy connoisseurs. They know their boxing!

Kenshiro launched an onslaught in the ninth, but a now weary Masamichi kept calm and collected, sporadically fighting back, and blunting the edge of the surge. Another big attack by Kenshiro in the tenth going to body and then to the head. But an ominous indication, when Masamichi pushed him down. Kenshiro`s wiry strength had been reduced to paper thin origami level.

Kenshiro got up and waded back in. Suddenly, he was caught by a monumental right hook, delivered close in, followed by a clipping left hook. Masamichi knowing the import of the impact, ruthlessly chased him down and followed up with a cascade of punches. No retaliation to the incoming, and Referee Yuji Fukuchi swiftly stepped in to save slumping, reeling, drained Kenshiro, who wobbled. The Ref who`s already waved off the action, held him up in his arms, preventing him from crashing prone to the canvass. A massive upset and a seismic shock for Kenshiro in his ninth and unsuccessful defense of the Green and Gold Belt.

The rematch is at the same location, and Kenshiro is from this area, so its home turf. Chastened, he`s said: “I`m fortunate to have an immediate rematch. I want to seize the opportunity and regain my championship.”

Kenshiro`s nickname is: “The Amazing Boy,” but the first flush of youth is gone.  On the way he`s defeated an array of quality opponents, prominently featuring Mexican fighters. Ganigan Lopez to win the title and then again via KO, Pedro Guevara, Saul “Baby” Juarez, and a TKO of Filipino Jonathan Taconing.

Masamichi has conceded that Kenshiro`s skills set is superior to his.  But he`s also said that even though he`s now the champion and has that tremendous pride, he`ll again fight with a challenger`s mentality. He comments that his sparring leading up to this has been excellent, and he`s absolutely tip top ready.

His patient, disciplined counter punching, constantly spearing the oncoming Kenshiro, punctuated by  conservative, yet well times effective attacks, was a carefully worked out plan and no fluke. It proved awkwardly problematic and if Kenshiro doesn`t sufficiently adjust, Masamichi could prove his nemesis.

For both…opportunity knocks in this rematch.

   WORLD BOXING COUNCIL

Jose Sulaimán WBC HONORARY POSTHUMOUS LIFETIME PRESIDENT (+)

Mauricio Sulaimán WBC PRESIDENT

 WBC STATS 

WBC LT. FLYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

 CITY GYM

 KYOTO, JAPAN

MARCH 19, 2022

THIS WILL BE THE WBC’S 2, 131 CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE   FIGHT   IN   THE   FIFTY-NINE YEAR HISTORY OF THE WBC

MASATO YAMASHITA & SHINSEI PROMOTIONS, PRESENTS:

MASAMICHI YABUKI                                            

(JAPAN)

WBC CHAMPION     

Nationality:      Japan

Date of Birth:    July 9, 1992

Birthplace:        Suzuka, Mie, Japan

Residence:         Nagoya, Aichi, Japan

Age:                  29

Record:             13-3-0, 12 KO’s

KO %:              75 %

Guard:             Orthodox

Total rounds:    58

World Titles fights: 1 (1-0-0)

Trainer:            Makoto Okaniwa

Manager:          Toshiro Matsuo

Promoter:          Midori Promotions

KENSHIRO TERAJI

(JAPAN)

WBC No. 1 / OFFICIAL CHALLENGER

Nationality:       Japan

Date of Birth:    January 6, 1992

Birthplace:        Joyo, Kyoto, Japan

Residence:         Uji, Kyoto, Japan

Age:                  30

Record:             18-1-0, 10 KO’s

KO %:              53 %

Alias:                The Amazing Boy

Guard:             Orthodox

Total rounds:    134

World Titles fights: 10 (9-1-0)

Manager:          Masato Yamashita

Promoter:          Shinsei Promotions

WBC´S LT. FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS

NAME                                                              PERIOD AS CHAMPION

1. FRANCO UDELLA (ITALY) 1975
2. LUIS ESTABA (VEN) 1975 – 1978
3. FREDDIE CASTILLO (MEX) 1978
4. NETRNOI SOR VORASINGH (THA) 1978
5. SUNG JUN KIM (KOR) 1978 – 1980
6. SHIGEO NAKAJIMA (JAP) 1980
7. HILARIO ZAPATA (PAN) 1980 – 1982
8. AMADO URZUA (MEX) 1982
9. TADASHI TOMORI (JAP) 1982
10. HILARIO ZAPATA (PAN) * 1982 – 1983
11. JUNGKOO CHANG (KOR) 1983 – 1988
12. GERMAN TORRES (MEX) 1988 – 1989
13. YULWOO LEE (KOR) 1989
14. HUMBERTO GONZALEZ (MEX) 1989 – 1990
15. ROLANDO PASCUA (PHIL) 1990 – 1991
16. MELCHOR COB CASTRO (MEX) 1991
17. HUMBERTO GONZALEZ (MEX) * 1991 – 1993
18. MICHAEL CARBAJAL (US) 1993 – 1994
19. HUMBERTO GONZALEZ (MEX) * 1994 – 1995
20. SAMAN SORJATURONG (THA) 1995 – 1999
21. YOSAM CHOI (KOR) 1999 – 2002
22. JORGE ARCE (MEX) 2001 – 2004
23. ERIC ORTIZ (MEX) 2005
24. BRIAN VILORIA (US) 2005 – 2006
25. OMAR NIÑO (MEXICO) 2006
26. WANDEE SINGWANGCHA (THAILAND) INTERIM 2006
27. EDGAR SOSA (MEXICO) 2007 – 2009
28. RODEL MAYOL (PHILIPPINES) 2009 – 2010
29. OMAR NIÑO (MEXICO) * 2010
30. GILBERTO KEB BAAS (MEXICO) 2010 – 2011
31. ADRIAN HERNANDEZ (MEXICO) 2011
32. KOMPAYAK PORPRAMOOK (THAILAND) 2011 – 2012
33. ADRIAN HERNANDEZ (MEXICO) * 2012 – 2014
34. NAOYA INOUE (JAPAN) 2014
35. PEDRO GUEVARA (MEXICO) 2014 – 2015
36. YU KIMURA (JAPAN) 2015 – 2016
37. GANIGAN LOPEZ (MEXICO) 2016 – 2017
38. KENSHIRO TERAJI (JAPAN) 2017 – 2021
39. MASAMICHI YABUKI (JAPAN) 2021 –

*REGAINED

WBC´S LT. FLYWEIGHT TOP TEN CHAMPIONS

HUMBERTO GONZALEZ (MEXICO

HILARIO ZAPATA (PANAMA)

MICHAEL CARBAJAL (US)

LUIS ESTABA (VENEZUELA)

JUNGKOO CHANG (KOREA)

SAMAN SORJATURONG (THAILAND)

JORGE ARCE (MEXICO)

EDGAR SOSA (MEXICO)

YOSAM CHOI (KOREA)

TADASHI TOMORI (JAPAN)

GENERAL INFORMATION OF THE LT. FLYWEIGHT DIVISION

34 WORLD CHAMPIONS HAVE CONQUERED THE WBC WORLD TITLE AT THE LIGHTFLYWEIGHT DIVISION.

4 OF THEM HAVE BEEN CHAMPIONS IN DIFFERENT CYCLES

HILARIO ZAPATA (PANAMA) TWICE

HUMBERTO GONZALEZ (MEXICO) THREE TIMES

OMAR NIÑO (MEXICO) TWICE

ADRIAN HERNANDEZ (MEXICO) TWICE

 THE WBC HAS HELD 148 LT. FLYWEIGHT TITLE BOUTS IN ALL ITS HISTORY

25 OF THEM WORLD TITLE BOUTS HVE BEEN IN LT. FLYWEIGHT DIVISION IN JAPAN HELD IN THE HISTORY OF THE WBC

FLYWEIGHT FIGHTS BY COUNTRY IN THE WBC HISTORY

MEXICO                             36

KOREA                               30

JAPAN                                   25

US                                       24

VENEZUELA                      15

THAILAND                        14

PANAMA                            3

ITALY                                 1

                       TOTAL                    148

WBC TITLE BOUTS HELD IN JAPAN

296 BOUTS HAVE BEEN HELD IN JAPAN IN THE WBC HISTORY

THIS WILL BE THE 26^th. TITLE FIGHT IN THE LT. FLYWEIGHT DIVISION HAVE BEEN HELD IN JAPAN IN THE WBC HISTORY.

BREAKDOWN BY DIVISION:

BANTAM                            59

FLY                                      50

SUPERFLY                         37

STRAW                               28

SUPERFEATHER              28

1. FLY 25

SUPERBANTAM               20

FEATHER                           15

SUPERWELTER               11

SUPERLIGHT                    10

LIGHT                                 9

HEAVY                                3

TOTAL BOUTS              296