Kenshiro Teraji Gets His Wish for a Rematch With Masamichi Yabuki
3KingsBoxing previously reported that on November 8, representatives for the ex-WBC world junior flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (18-1, 10 KOs) held a press conference in Japan. Discussion involved Kenshiro’s September 22 defeat to Masamichi Yabuki (13-3, KOs) when Teraji lost the WBC 108 pound world title.
The former champion’s father/promoter Hisashi Teraji and lawyer, Nobuyoshi Tsujiguchi, expressed their displeasure with the Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC) over what they perceived as repeated headbutts from Masamichi, one of which caused a cut over the right eye of Teraji. The JBC agreed that the head clash that resulted in the gash was intentional but took no further action. That caused Teraji’s camp to lash out at the JBC and strongly suggest a rematch should be in order. Well, it looks like their taking initiative has worked.
COMING TO AN AGREEMENT
According to the source Asian Boxing, another press conference was held in Japan on November 15. In attendance were Hisashi Teraji and Toshiro Matsuo, head of the Midori Gym, who represents Yabuki. Also in attendance was Masato Yamashita, who promoted Teraji-Yabuki and is the chairman of the Shinse Gym.
Yamashita announced that the WBC viewed a video of the fight and ordered a rematch. He also disclosed that Kenshiro Teraji and Masamichi Yabuki have agreed to fight each other again. The hope is to stage Yabuki-Teraji II in the Spring of 2022. On an interesting note, all parties agreed that the JBC should have done more in the aftermath of the September 22 contest.
JBC IN HOT WATER?
What may be more eye-raising than anything is a growing controversy with the JBC. In July of 2021, the commission apologized to current WBO world junior bantamweight Kazuto Ioka after alleging he failed a drug test before his fight against Kosei Tanaka in December of 2020. The matter involving Tanaka and Yabuki is the latest in a series of incidents.
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