Hiroto Kyoguchi v Kenshiro Teraji Unification Bout Slated for November!
For years there has been speculation about a match between Japanese junior flyweight world champions Hiroto Kyoguchi (16-0, 11 KOs) and Kenshiro Teraji (19-1, 11 KOs). At long last, the fight is a reality. According to Fernando Barbosa of ESPN Knockout, the two will square off in a unification on November 1 in their native country of Japan.
COMING AT JUST THE RIGHT TIME
Kyoguchi is a two-division world champion and has been one of the best lower-weight fighters in the sport over the last five years. He won the WBA 108 pound Super strap in December 2018 with a decision win over Hekkie Budler. He’s successfully defended the belt four times.
In his last outing, Kyoguchi was dominant in an eighth-round stoppage over then-WBA Regular champ Esteban Bermudez in June 2022. Fighting in Bermudez’s home country of Mexico, the 28-year-old took control from the opening bell, punishing his opponent throughout the bout.
He now faces a Teraji who regained the WBC crown in his last bout with a spectacular third-round KO win over Masamichi Yabuki in March 2022. It was a rematch of their September 2021 contest in which Yabuki stopped Teraji in eleven rounds to win the title in one of the upsets of that year.
Aside from that setback, Teraji has been a stalwart in the division. He initially won the belt in May 2017 with a decision win over Ganigan Lopez in May 2017. He’s made eight defenses of the belt before the first fight with Yabuki.
THE MAKINGS OF A GOOD ONE
Kyoguchi – Teraji has the potential to be a fantastic fight. The WBA Super champ uses the jab and pressure to get inside, then pound away with an assortment of shots on the inside.
Teraji is more versatile. At his best, he likes to use his length and jab to keep the action on the outside. But he is also a very competent body-puncher. The rematch with Yabuki showed he also has a mean streak, with the ability to back his opponent up and take them out.
The winner would become the first unified champion at 108 since Budler defeated Ryoichi Taguchi to capture the WBA Super and IBF titles in May 2018, but vacated the IBF belt before fighting Kyoguchi.
As of this writing, a specific locale or venue has not been named. But wherever it lands, it will be a big event in Japan. To followers of the lower-weight divisions, this is a can’t-miss fight.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
