KENSHIRO TERAJI targets his 17th world title victory on July 30 in Yokohama.
Japan’s stellar boxing year continues as Teraji, 25-1 (16 KOs), headlines a world title tripleheader against Ricardo Rafael Sandoval, 26-2 (18 KOs). ‘The Amazing Boy’ defends his WBA and WBC flyweight belts, with a win potentially setting up a clash against interim champion Galal Yafai. Nine days earlier, Yafai faces Francisco Rodriguez Jr, one of only seven fighters to go the distance with Japanese star Junto Nakatani.
Sandoval, ranked #3 by the WBA and #4 by the WBC, fights abroad for the first time since June 2021, when he stopped Britain’s Jay Harris with a body shot knockout. Teraji’s technical brilliance and Sandoval’s aggression promises a thrilling encounter at Yokohama Buntai.
The second world title bout features Matchroom’s new signing Antonio Vargas, 19-1 (11 KOs), defending his WBA bantamweight title against former challenger Daigo Higa, 21-3-2 (19 KOs). Last week, Eddie Hearn’s promotional company announced a co-promotion deal with Boxlab Promotions for Vargas.
The 2016 Olympian claimed the interim belt against Winston Guerrero in December and was elevated to full champion last month after Seiya Tsutsumi failed to meet his mandatory defence against Vargas. Higa, who drew with Tsutsumi in a February title fight, seeks to become a two-weight world champion in his third attempt.
The Yokohama tripleheader concludes with unbeaten Dominican Erick Rosa, 8-0 (2 KOs), defending his WBA light-flyweight title against Kyosuke Takami, 9-0 (7 KOs). The 23-year-old challenger, stylistically similar to Teraji, brings power and skill that could trouble Rosa. Takami, the number one contender, has the tools to upset the champion in what should be a highly competitive clash.
