On This Day… December 23

Yasuei Yakushiji vs. Jung-Il Byun (1993)

Location: Nagoya, Japan | Title: WBC Bantamweight In a highly contested and technical bout, Japan’s Yasuei Yakushiji dethroned South Korea’s Jung-Il Byun by unanimous decision over 12 rounds. It was a strategic victory for Japanese boxing; Yakushiji captured the 118-pound crown and began a solid reign that would eventually culminate in the historic unification fight against Joichiro Tatsuyoshi.

Daisuke Naito vs. Shingo Yamaguchi (2008)

Location: Tokyo, Japan | Title: WBC Flyweight The veteran Daisuke Naito successfully defended his world title in a domestic clash against Yamaguchi. Naito proved his hierarchy in the flyweight division, controlling the pace of the fight until stopping his opponent via TKO in the 11th round. This victory consolidated his status as one of the most solid champions of that era in Japan.

Pongsaklek Wonjongkam vs. Hirofumi Mukai (2011)

Location: Bangkok, Thailand | Title: WBC Flyweight One of the shortest defenses in the career of the Thai legend. The bout ended in a Technical Draw in the first round due to an accidental headbutt that caused a severe cut to Mukai. It was a frustrating outcome for Wonjongkam, who was looking to add another successful defense to his historic record.

Kompayak Porpramook vs. Adrián Hernández (2011)

Location: Bangkok, Thailand | Title: WBC Light Flyweight Thailand’s Porpramook pulled off a major upset by knocking out the Mexican champion Adrián “Confesor” Hernández in the 10th round. In a battle of high pressure and physical exhaustion, Kompayak managed to break the Mexican champion’s resistance to seize the WBC green and gold belt in front of his home crowd.

Kenshiro Teraji vs. Randy Petalcorin (2019)

Location: Yokohama, Japan | Title: WBC Light Flyweight Kenshiro Teraji delivered a clinic of power and technique, systematically punishing the body of the Filipino fighter Randy Petalcorin. Teraji sent his rival to the canvas three times during the third round and finally sealed the TKO in the fourth, reaffirming his absolute dominance in the WBC 108-pound division.