Ricardo Sandoval Crowned New WBC Flyweight Champion

American Ricardo “Niño” Sandoval defeated Japan’s Kenshiro Teraji by split decision to win the World Boxing Council flyweight crown in the main event of a card organized by Teiken Promotions at the Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama, Japan.

The fight was intense from start to finish; Teraji was the favorite due to his experience in addition to being the local fighter. However, Sandoval recovered from a knockdown in the fifth round and fought against the current to prevail on the judges’ scorecards.

From the beginning of the action, the Japanese fighter pressed using his jab, moving forward. Sandoval landed some good punches, but Teraji responded and maintained the initiative during a cautious start.

At Sandoval’s best moment in the fifth round, Teraji sent him against the ropes and knocked him down with a combination to the face. Sandoval quickly got back on his feet to continue the action.

The following rounds were very close with alternating dominance from both warriors, but Sandoval performed better.

The judges’ scores were: Joseph Gwilt (117-110) and Leszek Jankowiak (115-112) in favor of Sandoval. Pawel Kardyni (114-113) in favor of Teraji.

With this victory and the conquest of the world crown, Sandoval improved his record to 27-2, with 18 knockouts. In contrast, Teraji fell to 25-2, with 16 knockouts.