![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/cinturon-mosca-.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSpecial WBC Preview: Teraji vs Sandoval\u00a0<\/p>\n
WBC STATISTICS<\/p>\n
WBC Flyweight World Championship<\/p>\n
July 30, 2025 \/ Yokohama, Japan \/ Yokohama Buntai<\/p>\n
TEIKEN PROMOTIONS PRESENTS:<\/p>\n
KENSHIRO \u201cThe Amazing Boy\u201d TERAJI (Japan)<\/p>\n
WBC Flyweight World Champion, 2nd Defense
\nWBA Flyweight World Champion, 1st Defense
\nFormer two-time WBC Light Flyweight World Champion, 12 Title Defenses
\nFormer WBC Youth Light Flyweight Champion
\nFormer Oriental & Pacific Boxing Federation Light Flyweight Champion<\/p>\n
Age: 33 \/ Date of birth: January 6, 1992<\/p>\n
Residence: Uji, Kyoto, Japan \/ Birthplace: Joyo, Kyoto, Japan<\/p>\n
Record: 25-1, 16 KOs \/ Total rounds: 197 \/ World championship fights: 16-1, 11 KOs<\/p>\n
Height: 5\u20194.5\u201d \u2013 164cm \/ Reach: 64\u201d \u2013 163cm \/ Stance: Right-handed<\/p>\n
RICARDO \u201cEl Nino\u201d SANDOVAL (USA)<\/p>\n
Ranked WBC No. 2 at Flyweight
\nFormer WBC Silver Flyweight Champion
\nFormer WBC Intercontinental Youth Flyweight Champion<\/p>\n
Age: 26 \/ Date of birth: February 5, 1999<\/p>\n
Residence: Rialto, California \/ Birthplace: Montclair, California<\/p>\n
Record: 26-2, 18 KOs \/ Total rounds: 155<\/p>\n
Height: 5\u20196\u201d \u2013 168cm \/ Reach: 67\u201d \u2013 170cm \/ Stance: Right-handed<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
WBC FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS<\/p>\n
Pone Kingpetch (Thai) 1963
\n Hiroyuki Ebihara (Jap) 1963 \u2013 1964
\n Pone Kingpetch (Thai) * 1964 \u2013 1965
\n Salvatore Burruni (Italy) 1965 \u2013 1966
\n Walter McGowan (GB) 1966
\n Chartchai Chionoi (Thai) 1966 \u2013 1969
\n Efren Torres (Mex) 1969 \u2013 1970
\n Chartchai Chionoi (Thai) * 1970
\n Erbito Salavarria (Phil) 1970 \u2013 1971
\n Betulio Gonzalez (Ven) 1972
\n Venice Borkorsor (Thai) 1972 \u2013 1973
\n Betulio Gonzalez (Ven) * 1973 \u2013 1974
\n Shoji Oguma (Jap) 1974 \u2013 1975
\n Miguel Canto (Mex) 1975 \u2013 1979
\n Chan-Hee Park (Kor) 1979 \u2013 1980
\n Shoji Oguma (Japan) * 1980 \u2013 1981
\n Antonio Avelar (Mex) 1981 \u2013 1982
\n Prudencio Cardona (Col) 1982
\n Freddie Castillo (Mex) 1982
\n Eleoncio Mercedes (DR) 1982 \u2013 1983
\n Charlie Magri (GB) 1983
\n Frank Cede\u00f1o (Phil) 1983 \u2013 1984
\n Koji Kobayashi (Jap) 1984
\n Gabriel Bernal (Mex) 1984
\n Sot Chitalada (Thai) 1984 \u2013 1988
\n Yong-Kang Kim (Kor) 1988 \u2013 1989
\n Sot Chitalada (Thai) * 1989 \u2013 1991
\n Muangchai Kittikasem (Thai) 1991 \u2013 1992
\n Yuri Arbachakov (Russia) 1992 \u2013 1996
\n Chatchai Sasakul (Thai) 1997 \u2013 1998
\n Manny Pacquiao (Phil) 1998 \u2013 1999
\n Medgoen Singsurat (Thai) 1999 \u2013 2000
\n Malcolm Tunacao (Phil) 2000 \u2013 2001
\n Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thai\u00a0 2001 \u2013 2007
\n Jorge Arce (Mexico) Interim 2005 \u2013 2006
\n Daisuke Naito (Japan) 2007 \u2013 2009
\n P. Wonjongkam (Thai) Interim * 2009
\n Koki Kameda (Japan) 2009 \u2013 2010
\n Pong. Wonjongkam (Thai) * 2010 \u2013 2012
\n Sonny Boy Jaro (Phil) 2012
\n Toshiyuki Igarashi (Japan) 2012 \u2013 2013
\n Akira Yaegashi (Japan) 2013 \u2013 2014
\n Roman Gonzalez (Nic) 2014 \u2013 2016
\n Juan Hernandez (Mexico) 2017
\n Daigo Higa (Japan) 2017 \u2013 2018
\n Cristofer Rosales (Nic) 2018
\n Charlie Edwards (GB) 2018 \u2013 2019
\n Julio Cesar Martinez (Mexico) 2019 \u2013 2024
\n Kenshiro Teraji (Japan) 2024 \u2013<\/p>\n
*Regained<\/p>\n
WBC TOP 10 FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONS<\/p>\n
Miguel Canto (Mexico)
\n Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand)
\n Chartchai Chionoi (Thailand)
\n Efren Torres (Mexico)
\n Yuri Arbachakov (Russia)
\n Roman Gonzalez (Nicaragua)
\n Sot Chitalada (Thailand)
\n Akira Yaegashi (Japan)
\n Betulio Gonzalez (Venezuela)
\n Shoji Oguma (Japan)<\/p>\n
GENERAL INFORMATION ON THE FLYWEIGHT DIVISION IN WBC HISTORY<\/p>\n
43 world champions have been recognized by the WBC, of whom only six have regained the title: Pone Kingpetch (Thailand), Chartchai Chionoi (Thailand), Betulio Gonzalez (Venezuela), Shoji Oguma (Japan), Sot Chitalada (Thailand), Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (Thailand).<\/p>\n
159 flyweight world championship bouts have been held in WBC history.<\/p>\n
MEMORABLE WBC FLYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP FIGHTS:<\/p>\n
Mar. 13, 2025 \u00a0 Kenshiro Teraji TKO12 Seigo Yuri Akui \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
Oct. 13, 2024 \u00a0 Kenshiro Teraji TKO11 Cristofer Rosales \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
May 6, 2023 Julio Cesar Martinez TKO11 Ronal Batista \u2013 Zapopan, Jalisco<\/p>\n
Dec. 3, 2022 Julio Cesar Martinez W12 Samuel Carmona \u2013 Glendale, Arizona<\/p>\n
June 26, 2021\u00a0 Julio Cesar Martinez TKO6 Joel Cordova \u2013 Guadalajara, Jalisco<\/p>\n
Oct. 23, 2020 \u00a0 Julio Cesar Martinez TKO2 Moises Calleros \u2013 Mexico City, Distrito Federal<\/p>\n
Dec. 20, 2019 \u00a0 Julio Cesar Martinez TKO9 Cristofer Rosales \u2013 Phoenix, Arizona<\/p>\n
Dec. 22, 2018 \u00a0 Charlie Edwards W12 Cristofer Rosales \u2013 London, England<\/p>\n
Apr. 15, 2018 \u00a0 Cristofer Rosales TKO9 Daigo Higa \u2013 Kanagawa, Japan<\/p>\n
May 20, 2017 \u00a0 Daigo Higa TKO6 Juan Hernandez \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
Apr. 23, 2016 \u00a0 Roman Gonzalez W12 McWilliams Arroyo \u2013 Inglewood, California<\/p>\n
Sep. 5, 2014 Roman Gonzalez TKO9 Akira Yaegashi \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
Apr. 8, 2013 Akira Yaegashi W12 Toshiyuki Igarashi \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
Mar. 27, 2010 \u00a0 Pongsaklek Wonjongkam W12 Koki Kameda \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
Nov. 29, 2009 \u00a0 Koki Kameda W12 Daisuke Naito \u2013 Saitama, Japan<\/p>\n
July 18, 2007 Daisuke Naito W12 Pongsaklek Wonjongkam \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
July 30, 2005 Jorge Arce TKO3 Angel Priolo \u2013 La Paz, Baja California<\/p>\n
Mar. 2, 2001 Pongsaklek Wonjongkam TKO1 Malcolm Tunacao \u2013 Phichit, Thailand<\/p>\n
Sep. 17, 1999 \u00a0 Boonsai Sansurat TKO3 Manny Pacquiao \u2013 Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand<\/p>\n
Dec. 4, 1998 Manny Pacquiao KO8 Chatchai Sasakul \u2013 Phuttamonthon, Thailand<\/p>\n
May 9, 1997 Chatchai Sasakul W12 Ysaias Zamudio \u2013 Bangkok, Thailand<\/p>\n
June 23, 1992\u00a0 Yuri Arbachakov KO8 Muangchai Kittikasem \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
Feb. 15, 1991 \u00a0 Muangchai Kittikasem TKO6 Sot Chitalada \u2013 Ayutthaya, Thailand<\/p>\n
Oct. 8, 1984 Sot Chitalada W12 Gabriel Bernal \u2013 Bangkok, Thailand<\/p>\n
Mar. 15, 1983 \u00a0 Charlie Magri TKO7 Eleoncio Mercedes \u2013 London, England<\/p>\n
May 18, 1980 \u00a0 Shoji Oguma KO9 Chan-Hee Park \u2013 Seoul, Korea<\/p>\n
Jan. 8, 1975 Miguel Canto W15 Shoji Oguma \u2013 Sendai, Japan<\/p>\n
Aug. 4, 1973 Betulio Gonzalez W15 Miguel Canto \u2013 Maracaibo, Venezuela<\/p>\n
Feb. 23, 1969 \u00a0 Efren Torres TKO8 Chartchai Chionoi \u2013 Mexico City, Distrito Federal<\/p>\n
Dec. 30, 1966 \u00a0 Chartchai Chionoi TKO9 Walter McGowan \u2013 Bangkok, Thailand<\/p>\n
Sep. 18, 1963 \u00a0 Pone Kingpetch KO1 Hiroyuki Ebihara \u2013 Tokyo, Japan<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Boys will be Boys<\/p>\n
By James Blears<\/p>\n
Kenshiro \u2018\u2019The Amazing Boy\u2019\u2019 will defend his unified flyweight title for the first time with the venue being Yokohama Buntai, Yokohama on Wednesday July 30th against Ricardo Rafael \u2018\u2019El Nino\u2019\u2019 Sandoval.<\/p>\n
North, South, East and West\u2026home is best. Unlike Naoya Inoue or Junto Nakatani, Kenshiro hasn`t yet ventured outside Japan, let alone East of Eden. He has brilliantly won his light flyweight and flyweight titles on home turf. Rafael who is from Rialto, California, has a long journey before, orientating himself to contest his first world title.<\/p>\n
To date, the only stuttering stumble in Kenshiro`s career came when he tried to return to the ring too soon after contracting covid and the lingering after effects weakened his slender body. Back then none of us really knew how the virus affected the immune system and what it was capable of inflicting, over a given time scale. He was a mere shadow of himself in defending his WBC light flyweight title against capable and well- conditioned Masamichi Yabuki, being TKO`s in ten rounds. Towards the end of that fight, normally robust Kenshiro who is as strong as a lion, was as weak as a kitten. Yet in the rematch, a fully recovered Kenshiro roared back and went though Masamichi like a dose of salts, KO`ing him in three one-sided overwhelming rounds. Point conclusively proved. He was back!<\/p>\n
Yet since that time, Kenshiro hasn`t been able to stop any of his ensuing six opponents in less than seven rounds. One went the full distance and with the other, it took everything he had, to inflict a last gasp stoppage. The gradient is getting ever steeper and the first flush of youth is now long gone, as Kenshiro is now thirty- three. The author John Updike wrote: \u2018\u2019Life is a hill that gets steeper, the more you climb.\u2019\u2019 The ancient Greek poet Hesiod summed it up by writing: \u2018\u2019In front of excellence, the immortal Gods have put sweat, and long and steep is the way to it.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
Two fights in particular have proved to be stern acid tests for Kenshiro and how much have they taken out of him, viz wear and tear imparting corrosion? They have sorely tested him, his dig deep resolve, pushing his will to win, to the limit and he has proved his championship mettle by coming through both with grit and determination. They were gruelling ordeals.<\/p>\n
A great champion can be measured, assessed and judged by how he deals with adversity, specifically when the yellow brick road, transforms into a highway to hell.<\/p>\n
In his second reign as WBC light flyweight champion, he took on the barrel- chested Carlos Canizales and it proved a marathon plus something of a nightmare. Things were initially going all Kenshiro`s<\/p>\n
way, and it seemed like it was going to be a short night in Osaka, when he dropped Carlos with a sweeping right in round two. But Carlos got up and fiercely fought back, knocking down Kenshiro with his own big right, one round later. Things got progressively harder, with Carlos landing a high percentage of jarring straight and curving scimitar rights on Kenshiro, who to his credit, absorbed them and fought back with two handed salvos. Yet he was under the cosh by round ten and milling on the retreat in the final round, evading, laterally and literally elusive. He deservedly won a MD, but it was close and it was noticeably uncomfortable.<\/p>\n
Kenshiro moved up to flyweight contesting the vacant WBC title, taking on former light flyweight champion Cristofer \u2018\u2019The Whip\u2019\u2019 Rosales, dominating and winning via a TKO in nine one sided rounds. Then came his biggest career test under fire, against WBA flyweight champion and compatriot Seigo Yuri Akui.<\/p>\n
It was an intense to and fro battle of wills with neither man readily prepared to cede ground and retreat. Again, Kenshiro was getting caught with a lot of straight rights and overhead rights. Yet he proved that he has a strong chin and durable resolve, as he didn`t flinch, soaked them up and came back with his own attack.<\/p>\n
Seigo was ahead on two the Judges` cards going into the final round. It was now or never! Kenshiro sensed the fight was ebbing away, he needed to turn the tide, and it was evident that his opponent was spent, only having the vestige of dregs to offer. So, with impeccable timing, this is where he showed his class and sheer ruthless brilliance.<\/p>\n
He gritted his teeth and launched a blistering, lambasting attack on Seigo, whose nose was bleeding heavily and had a badly cut lip, teetering on rubbery legs. Sheer willpower propelled Kenshiro forward and he bombarded Seigo with unremitting stiletto combinations. Groggy and exhausted, Seigo was saved by the enwrapping arms of the Referee and from him, there was no complaint, just copious tears of disappointment. He`d tried his utmost but come up short.<\/p>\n
Kenshiro had been reached the brink, but then pulled victory back from the jaws of defeat. He said: \u2018\u2019Seigo was mentally strong. This will boost my future.\u2019\u2019 He even mentioned WBC\/WBO super-flyweight champion Jessie \u2018\u2019Bam\u2019\u2019 Rodriguez as being on his future wish list hit list.<\/p>\n
Kenshiro has built a very impressive record of 25-1, 16 KO`s winning world titles at two different weights. Smiling, courteous and affable minus any snap or snarl menace, he`s a ruthlessly efficient classy operator and cool customer in the ring. Yet\u2026 previously he has launched his attacks with lightning speed and then proved quick-silver elusive, retreating in nippy fashion, after landing his blows. Noticeably, over his most recent several fights, he`s getting tagged appreciably more often, particularly with the blight of the right. This proves his durability under fire, although it`s noticeable he`s not as nimble, supple or versatile as he once was. None of us are. The fundamental things apply\u2026as time goes by.<\/p>\n
Ricardo, as his nickname of Nino suggests is still baby-faced. Young and tender. Aged twenty- six he`s seven years younger than the champion. Ricardo turned pro in 2016, two years after Kenshiro. So far, he`s fought 155 rounds. Kenshiro has fought 197 rounds, against a higher calibre of opponent. Ricardo has fought mostly in his home State of California, but also in Mexico and Canada. His record is 26-2, 18 KO`s. He`s never been stopped. He`s won the WBC Youth Intercontinental flyweight Belt, but this is his first tilt at the big time and it`s a long way from home.<\/p>\n
It`s a daunting challenge. To win he`ll need to accomplish the fight of his life, tap and channel the fountain of youth and expose Kenshiro`s recent tendency and vulnerability in getting tagged with big right hands. The Japanese fans are polite and welcoming to visiting fighters, the officiating is scrupulously fair and honest, but Ricardo is in an environment that he`s never experienced before, while the champion is on home turf.<\/p>\n
Ricardo Rafael needs a RR-Rolls Royce acceleration to defeat the elite and unseat Kenshiro. He has good credentials. He lost his fifth fight to Alfonso Ceja by MD in Tijuana. But his first big test was against one time WBC title challenger Jay Harris in an IBF eliminator and he won via KO in round eight. Ricardo fought David Jimenez in a WBA eliminator. He was knocked down in round seven but got up and fought back well. That visit to the canvass meant he lost a close MD. But still he persisted.<\/p>\n
As recently as February, he went ten testing rounds to defeat teak tough Saleto Hunderson and win the WBO Silver flyweight title via UD at the Honda Center, Anaheim. Now he`ll need to rev up seeking poll position on the grid in Japan for his biggest formula uno, numero uno test. He`s two inches taller than Kenshiro. He needs to use this height advantage and to win, he must force the champion on to the back foot. Kenshiro is a superb attacking fighter, but nowhere near as effective milling on the retreat. Yet, Floyd Mayweather Jr once said: \u2018\u2019A true champion can adapt to anything.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
As champion, Kenshiro`s ethos will be to train with the intensity and hunger of a challenger. While RR must train like a champion. It`s not about feelings it`s more about filling gaps, exploiting vulnerabilities and capitalizing upon mistakes. Manny Pacquiao said this: \u2018\u2019Boxing is not about feelings, it`s about performance,\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n
At one time every champion was a challenger. The ones who make it, seized opportunity with both hands when it knocked, and are then singularly, stingingly determined to keep what`s theirs`. Jack Dempsey succinctly said: \u2018\u2019Nobody owes anybody a living, but everyone is entitled to a chance.\u2019<\/p>\n
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