Japanese boxer Kyosuke Takami, right, throws a punch at Erick Rosa of the Dominican Republic during their WBA light flyweight world title match at Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama on July 30, 2025. (Kyodo)


YOKOHAMA (Kyodo) — Japanese boxer Kyosuke Takami claimed the WBA light flyweight world championship Wednesday with a 10th-round technical knockout of the Dominican Republic’s Erick Rosa, but home favorite Kenshiro Teraji suffered a shock split-decision loss that saw him relinquish his WBA and WBC flyweight belts to American Ricardo Sandoval.


The fights were part of a world-title triple-header at Yokohoma Buntai also featuring Japan’s Daigo Higa, who announced his retirement after being unable to claim the WBA bantamweight crown in a draw with champion Antonio Vargas of the United States.


Takami, making his first title bid as the WBA’s No. 1 challenger, stopped the previously unbeaten Rosa with a right hook 2:48 into the 10th round.


“I’m glad I was able to get the knockout. It was a proud moment,” said Takami, unbeaten in 10 bouts with eight wins by KO.









Japan’s Kenshiro Teraji, left, and U.S. boxer Ricardo Sandoval react to the announcement of the American’s victory in their WBA and WBC flyweight unification bout at Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama on July 30, 2025. (Kyodo)


Teraji, 33, knocked Sandoval down in the fifth round but finished behind on two out of the three scorecards following a spirited fightback from the 26-year-old American through the remainder of the 12 rounds.


The Japanese fighter dropped to 25-2 with 16 KOs, while Sandoval improved to 27-2 with 18 KOs.









Japan’s Daigo Higa, left, fights U.S. boxer Antonio Vargas for the WBA bantamweight world title at Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama on July 30, 2025. (Kyodo)


The 29-year-old Higa floored Vargas in the fourth round but was unsuccessful in his third straight title challenge after all three judges scored the 12-round battle a draw. The American appeared to salvage his title defense with a knockdown in the final round.


Okinawa native Higa dropped to 21 wins, three draws and three losses, with 19 wins by KO.