Kenshiro Teraji Wants to Be Undisputed at 108 Pounds in 2023
Multiple-time junior flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (20-1, 12 KOs) has had a outstanding 2022. In March, he scored a revenge third-round knockout over Masamichi Yabuki to regain the WBC junior flyweight title. Teraji followed that up by scoring the best win of his career as he dominated then-WBA champion Hiroto Kyoguchi en route to a seventh-round stoppage in November 2022 to become the unified champ.
ON A MISSION TO TAKE OVER THE DIVISION
As the calendar is about to turn over into 2023, Teraji is hungry for more. Currently back training, the 30-year-old is eyeing 2023 as the year he sits on top of the division. During an interview with Japanese media source Nikkan Sports, the he talked about his goals.
(Translated from Japanse) “Unification of [the four belts] has a status. I think it gives me a sense of accomplishment. I think it will give me more confidence to be number one (in that weight class), and I want to reach that level.”
After his win over Kyoguchi, the now-unified champ openly talked about his desire to face current WBO champion Jonathan Gonzalez. Word on the street is that Teraji’s next title defense will occur in March or April against the WBC’s number-one ranked contender and two-division champion, Hekkie Budler. That will not be an easy fight.
With his stated goals now made public, it will be interesting to see if he can reach his goals. Should he defeat Gonzalez and current IBF champion Sivenathi Nontshinga in 2023, Teraji would become the first fighter to become an undisputed champion at 108.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
