Kenshiro Teraji and Hiroto Kyoguchi Eyeing a Fight Against Each Other in 2022
At 108 pounds, WBC champ Kenshiro Teraji (19-1, 11 KOs) and WBA Super titleholder Hiroto Kyoguchi (15-0, 10 KOs) are considered the two most prominent fighters by pundits. In their native land of Japan, there’s often been talk of the two facing each other. Followers of the lower-weight division have also opined on boxing forums about that possible matchup. But they’ve yet to get it on the ring. However, that could soon change.
MUTUAL INTEREST
Both were in attendance for Gennady Golovkin’s stoppage win over Ryota Murata to unify the IBF and WBA middleweight titles on April 9. It was the most significant boxing event in Japan in years. That fight seemed to inspire Teraji and Kyoguchi. Following that fight, the two junior flyweight champions went to social media and publicly expressed a desire to face each other later this year.
Teraji is fresh off regaining the title with an emphatic third-round TKO win in his rematch with Masamichi Yabuki on March 19. Kyoguchi’s last outing was a fifth-round TKO win over Axel Aragon Vega in March 2021.
HURDLES TO JUMP
There’s still work that must take place to make this would-be unification clash. Specifically, Kyoguchi has been ordered by the World Boxing Organization to face WBA Regular junior flyweight champion Esteban Bermudez. As of this writing, there has been no announcement of when that match will happen.
Previously, Teraji was indifferent about facing Kyoguchi. But following his rematch win over Yabuki, the WBC champ now says he’s only interested in unification bouts. In his mind, whoever wants it can get it.
The fact that Teraji and Kyoguchi have a strong interest in duking it out can only be viewed as a positive sign. In the land of the orient, it’s a big deal and would draw plenty of attention. Financially, it would be the biggest money-maker in the division. Fans of the lower-weight divisions have their fingers crossed that this all-Japanese showdown finally takes place.
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By: Michael Wilson Jr.
