Kenshiro Teraji v Jonathan Gonzalez Unification Bout Being Negotiated
For fans of the lower-weight divisions, it’s not a secret that current unified junior flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (20-1, 12 KOs) wants to fight reigning WBO 108-pound champion Jonathan Gonzalez (27-3-1, 14 KOs). Now, steps are underway to make that fight a reality.
RELATED: Teraji Targets Gonzalez: “We Are One Step Closer To A Unification Fight”
3Kings Boxing has learned that negotiations are ongoing between the two camps to put them in the ring with one another. The target date is April 2023 in Teraji’s home country of Japan.
A key component in making this bout fell at the feet of two-division champion Hekkie “The Hexecutioner” Budler. Currently the mandatory challenger by WBA at 108, Budler is in line for a shot at Teraji. But according to the South African news source, Sowetan Live, he accepted a step-aside fee. He also secured the agreement he gets the winner of Teraji – Gonzalez.
ON A COLLISION COURSE
The unified champ had a fantastic 2022. In March of that year, he regained the WBC title with a third-round knockout in his rematch against Masamichi Yabuki. Teraji followed up that performance with a dominant seventh-round stoppage in a unification contest with then-WBA champion Hiroto Kyoguchi in November 2022.
On the undercard of Teraji-Kyoguchi, Gonzalez made the second defense of the WBO strap with a unanimous decision win over Shokichi Iwata. Gonzalez won the title with a split-decision victory over Elwin Soto in October 2021.
Signs are positive this fight between the two junior flyweight champions will get finalized. Stay tuned to 3Kings Boxing for continued updates.
By: Michael Wilson Jr.
