Masamichi Yabuki Vs Kenshiro Teraji II set for March!
Last year Japan hosted one of the biggest upsets of the year, as the unheralded Masamichi Yabuki (13-3, 12) [佐藤政道] scored a 10th round TKO win over the previously unbeaten Kenshiro Teraji (17-1, 10) [寺地 拳四朗], ending the latter's long reign as the WBC Light Flyweight champion. The win put Yabuki on the boxing map, and saw him put his name among the top in the division, a packed division, but was a win marred with controversy due to repeated head clashes that that went unpunished, much to the chagrin of Kenshiro and his team. The head clashes resulted in Kenshiro's promoter, and former fighter himself, Hisashi Teraji being highly critical of the JBC and the officials regarding the bout, who seemed to be in no rush to order a rematch. Something the WBC eventually did after reviewing footage of the bout.
After the WBC ordered a rematch the teams involved, which included the BMB Gym and Misako Gym, who promote Kenshiro, the Green Gym, which promote Yabuki, and Shinsei Gynm, who promoted the bout, all promises to work together to organise the rematch for early 2022.
Today we finally saw news break regarding the when, and where, of that rematch.
The bout, announced by Shinsei Gym, will take place on March 19th and will be head at the Kyoto City Gymnasium under "The Real Fight" banner.
The two fighters attended the press conference to announce the bout the two men and both gave quotes to the media at the event.
Yabuki stated "The opponent is a player with higher overall skill than myself. Just like last time, I just fight with the challenger spirit and defend firmly." Notably Yabuki also stated that stamina was going to be key explaining he, "We are trying to improve our physical strength by strengthening our running for the rematch." He also stated that the press saw a switch turn on inside himself, and he came across as a man with a point to prove.
Kenshiro stated "I am lucky to have a rematch immediately. I want to seize this opportunity and return to the championship." He also explained that if he fights like he normally does he will win this bout, and was critical of the officials, much like his father had been. Interestingly Kenshiro explained that he did think about retiring, to become a sushi chef after the loss, but admitted he couldn't end his career on the bac of the Yabuki, loss and seemed intent on getting revenge for that defeat.
After the WBC ordered a rematch the teams involved, which included the BMB Gym and Misako Gym, who promote Kenshiro, the Green Gym, which promote Yabuki, and Shinsei Gynm, who promoted the bout, all promises to work together to organise the rematch for early 2022.
Today we finally saw news break regarding the when, and where, of that rematch.
The bout, announced by Shinsei Gym, will take place on March 19th and will be head at the Kyoto City Gymnasium under "The Real Fight" banner.
The two fighters attended the press conference to announce the bout the two men and both gave quotes to the media at the event.
Yabuki stated "The opponent is a player with higher overall skill than myself. Just like last time, I just fight with the challenger spirit and defend firmly." Notably Yabuki also stated that stamina was going to be key explaining he, "We are trying to improve our physical strength by strengthening our running for the rematch." He also stated that the press saw a switch turn on inside himself, and he came across as a man with a point to prove.
Kenshiro stated "I am lucky to have a rematch immediately. I want to seize this opportunity and return to the championship." He also explained that if he fights like he normally does he will win this bout, and was critical of the officials, much like his father had been. Interestingly Kenshiro explained that he did think about retiring, to become a sushi chef after the loss, but admitted he couldn't end his career on the bac of the Yabuki, loss and seemed intent on getting revenge for that defeat.