Kenshiro Teraji Beats Carlos Canizales To Keep His Light Flyweight Titles

Kenshiro Teraji kept his WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine Light Flyweights Titles after overcoming Carlos Canizales in a majority decision win.

The Japanese champion was fighting in Osaka, putting pressure on him to perform. He started the bout in impressive fashion as he sent his opponent to the canvas in just the second round. A laser right hand connected on the head, sending Canizales tumbling to the floor. But rather than the fight ending early, that only roused the challenger into action.

Teraji Drops Canizales

Canizales hit back immediately in the third round. He also landed with his right hand, shocking the home crowd as the champion found himself on the floor. That set up the narrative for a very tense bout.

Canizales Hits Back

Taraji knew he had to avoid exchanging too much in case he left himself open. Canizales attacked Teraji to the body and upstairs in round four before landing a big left hook in the sixth to buzz him. Teraji resorted to using his movement to stay away from the pocket as he slowed the pace.

That approach allowed him to edge the fight as he picked off his opponent in a close decision. The fight went to the scorecards as the judges had it as follows: 114-112, 114-112 and 113-113.

Teraji was delighted to get the win in front of his home crowd as who knows what could have happened on any other given day.

Post-Fight Comments

“I’m so relieved. Canizales was a tough fighter. I just gave it my all. I couldn’t fight inside late in the match. [And] I had to keep him at a distance with jabs. That wasn’t what I wanted to do, so it’s a bit frustrating. I learned many lessons from this fight. I’ll come back stronger.

“Canizales was such a tough opponent, but I was so desperate to win this match. I found so many things I can improve on. The second half of the match I changed my [style] because he wouldn’t let me fight at my distance. I need to think about my strategy more,” Teraji stated

Full Results

Kenshiro Teraji def. Carlos Canizales via a majority decision to win the WBA, WBC, and The Ring Light Flyweight Titles: 114-112, 114-112, 113-113

Seigo Yuri Akui def. Artem Dalakian via a unanimous decision to win the WBA Flyweight Title: 119-109, 117-111, 116-112

Tenshin Nasukawa def. Luis Robles Pacheco via a third round TKO – Super Bantamweight

Juiki Tatsuyoshi def. Yuki Yonaha via a majority decision – Super Bantamweight

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