Tag: Kenshiro Teraji

Junkie Drawer: Kenshiro Teraji survives scare against Carlos Canizales

Junkie Drawer: Junior flyweight champ Kenshiro Teraji survived a scare against Carlos Canizales on Tuesday, winning a majority decision.

Kenshiro Teraji defeated Carlos Canizales by a razor-thin majority decision in an entertaining fight to retain his junior flyweight titles Tuesday in Osaka, Japan.

One judge scored it a draw (113-113) but the other two had the Japanese fighter winning by the same tally (114-112).

Teraji (23-1, 14 KOs) got off to a good start, putting Canizales (26-2-1, 19 KOs) down in Round 2. However, the Venezuelan challenger returned the favor in Round 3 and neither man was able to separate from the other the rest of the way in a back-and-forth war.

Teraji has won five consecutive fights since an upset knockout loss to countryman Masamichi Yabuki in 2021, including in a rematch with Yabuki.

He has said he plans to move up to 112 pounds if he can’t get another title-unification bout at 108. He has said he’d like to challenge 112-pound beltholder “Bam” Rodriguez.

Canizales has now come up short in two world title fights. He was stopped by then-beltholder Esteban Bermudez in 2021.

Junkie Drawer: Kenshiro Teraji survives scare against Carlos Canizales

Junkie Drawer: Junior flyweight champ Kenshiro Teraji survived a scare against Carlos Canizales on Tuesday, winning a majority decision.

Kenshiro Teraji defeated Carlos Canizales by a razor-thin majority decision in an entertaining fight to retain his junior flyweight titles Tuesday in Osaka, Japan.

One judge scored it a draw (113-113) but the other two had the Japanese fighter winning by the same tally (114-112).

Teraji (23-1, 14 KOs) got off to a good start, putting Canizales (26-2-1, 19 KOs) down in Round 2. However, the Venezuelan challenger returned the favor in Round 3 and neither man was able to separate from the other the rest of the way in a back-and-forth war.

Teraji has won five consecutive fights since an upset knockout loss to countryman Masamichi Yabuki in 2021, including in a rematch with Yabuki.

He has said he plans to move up to 112 pounds if he can’t get another title-unification bout at 108. He has said he’d like to challenge 112-pound beltholder “Bam” Rodriguez.

Canizales has now come up short in two world title fights. He was stopped by then-beltholder Esteban Bermudez in 2021.

Kenshiro Teraji vs. Carlos Canizales: Date, time, how to watch, background

Kenshiro Teraji vs. Carlos Canizales: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Junior flyweight champ Kenshiro Teraji is scheduled to defend his belt against Carlos Canizales in the early morning hours Tuesday (U.S. time) in Japan.

KENSHIRO TERAJI (22-1, 14 KOs)
VS. CARLOS CANIZALES (26-1-1, 19 KOs)

  • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23
  • Time: 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Teraji’s WBA and WBC titles
  • Odds: Teraji 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Artem Dalakian vs. Seigo Yuri Akui, flyweights (for Dalakian’s title)
  • Prediction: Teraji KO 10
  • Background: Teraji is a two-time 108-pound champion who will be taking part in his 15th title fight in 24 career bouts when he faces Canizales in the early morning hours U.S. time. The 32-year-old resident of Kyoto has been perfect since his upset knockout loss to countryman Masamichi Yabuki in 2021, which cost him his WBC title. He rebounded to knock out Yabuki in three rounds in the rematch to regain his belt in 2022, stop Hiroto Kyoguchi in seven to become a unified champion later that year, stop Anthony Olascuago in nine rounds in April of last year and KO former beltholder Hekkie Budler in nine last September. Teraji, who has fought his entire career at 108 pounds, has said he will consider moving up to 112 if he doesn’t get another title-unification bout. He has expressed interest in challenging 112-pound titleholder “Bam” Rodriguez. Canizales is a 30-year-old former title challenger from Venezuela. He was stopped in six rounds by then-WBA betlholder Esteban Bermudez in 2021 in Mexico, after which he has beaten four consecutive second-tier opponents. Also on the card, WBA 112-pound titleholder Artem Dalakian (22-0, 15 KOs) is scheduled to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Seigo Yuri Akui (18-2-1, 11 KOs).

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Kenshiro Teraji vs. Carlos Canizales: Date, time, how to watch, background

Kenshiro Teraji vs. Carlos Canizales: Date, time, how to watch, background.

Junior flyweight champ Kenshiro Teraji is scheduled to defend his belt against Carlos Canizales in the early morning hours Tuesday (U.S. time) in Japan.

KENSHIRO TERAJI (22-1, 14 KOs)
VS. CARLOS CANIZALES (26-1-1, 19 KOs)

  • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23
  • Time: 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Teraji’s WBA and WBC titles
  • Odds: Teraji 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Artem Dalakian vs. Seigo Yuri Akui, flyweights (for Dalakian’s title)
  • Prediction: Teraji KO 10
  • Background: Teraji is a two-time 108-pound champion who will be taking part in his 15th title fight in 24 career bouts when he faces Canizales in the early morning hours U.S. time. The 32-year-old resident of Kyoto has been perfect since his upset knockout loss to countryman Masamichi Yabuki in 2021, which cost him his WBC title. He rebounded to knock out Yabuki in three rounds in the rematch to regain his belt in 2022, stop Hiroto Kyoguchi in seven to become a unified champion later that year, stop Anthony Olascuago in nine rounds in April of last year and KO former beltholder Hekkie Budler in nine last September. Teraji, who has fought his entire career at 108 pounds, has said he will consider moving up to 112 if he doesn’t get another title-unification bout. He has expressed interest in challenging 112-pound titleholder “Bam” Rodriguez. Canizales is a 30-year-old former title challenger from Venezuela. He was stopped in six rounds by then-WBA betlholder Esteban Bermudez in 2021 in Mexico, after which he has beaten four consecutive second-tier opponents. Also on the card, WBA 112-pound titleholder Artem Dalakian (22-0, 15 KOs) is scheduled to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Seigo Yuri Akui (18-2-1, 11 KOs).

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Fight Week: Jaime Munguia to test himself again against John Ryder

Jaime Munguia will face another tough test when he takes on veteran John Ryder on Saturday in Phoenix.

FIGHT WEEK

Jaime Munguia will face another tough test when he takes on veteran John Ryder on Saturday in Phoenix. On Tuesday, in Japan, 108-pound champ Kenshiro Teraji will defend against Carlos Canizales.

KENSHIRO TERAJI (22-1, 14 KOs)
VS. CARLOS CANIZALES (26-1-1, 19 KOs)

  • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23
  • Time: 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Teraji’s WBA and WBC titles
  • Odds: Teraji 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Artem Dalakian vs. Seigo Yuri Akui, flyweights (for Dalakian’s title)
  • Prediction: Teraji KO 10
  • Background: Teraji is a two-time 108-pound champion who will be taking part in his 15th title fight in 24 career bouts when he faces Canizales in the early morning hours U.S. time. The 32-year-old resident of Kyoto has been perfect since his upset knockout loss to countryman Masamichi Yabuki in 2021, which cost him his WBC title. He rebounded to knock out Yabuki in three rounds in the rematch to regain his belt in 2022, stop Hiroto Kyoguchi in seven to become a unified champion later that year, stop Anthony Olascuago in nine rounds in April of last year and KO former beltholder Hekkie Budler in nine last September. Teraji, who has fought his entire career at 108 pounds, has said he will consider moving up to 112 if he doesn’t get another title-unification bout. He has expressed interest in challenging 112-pound titleholder “Bam” Rodriguez. Canizales is a 30-year-old former title challenger from Venezuela. He was stopped in six rounds by then-WBA betlholder Esteban Bermudez in 2021 in Mexico, after which he has beaten four consecutive second-tier opponents. Also on the card, WBA 112-pound titleholder Artem Dalakian (22-0, 15 KOs) is scheduled to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Seigo Yuri Akui (18-2-1, 11 KOs).

 

JAIME MUNGUIA (42-0, 33 KOs)
VS. JOHN RYDER (32-6, 18 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 27
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Munguia 3-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Gabriela Fundora vs. Christina Cruz, flyweights (for Fundora’s IBF title); Alan Picasso Romero vs. Erik Ruiz, junior featherweights
  • Prediction: Munguia UD
  • Background: Munguia has set his sights on undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez but must overcome a second consecutive legitimate threat first. The 27-year-old Mexican, a former 154-pound beltholder, had to dig deep to pull out a unanimous, but close decision over skillful veteran Sergey Derevyanchenko in his debut as a full-fledged 168-pounder last June. He put Derevyanchenko down with a body shot in Round 12 to clinch the decision. Munguia has described the victory as the most important of his decade-long career. Next up for him is Ryder, a rugged, experienced southpaw from London who has failed in two bids to win a major title. He lost a disputed decision to then super middleweight champ Callum Smith in 2019, which enhanced Ryder’s reputation, and he gave a gutty performance in a unanimous-decision setback against Alvarez last May. He also outpointed Daniel Jacobs between those title fights, his most impressive victory. Also on the card Saturday, IBF 112-pound titleholder Gabriela Fundora (12-0, 5 KOs) will make the first defense of her belt against Christina Cruz (6-0, 0 KOs).

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

  • Erik Bazinyan vs. Billi Facundo Godoy, super middleweights, Montreal (ESPN+)

SATURDAY

  • Lewis Crocker vs. Jose Felix, welterweights, Belfast, Northern Ireland (DAZN)
  • Omar Trinidad vs. Jose Perez, featherweights, Commerce, California (UFC Fight Pass)

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Fight Week: Jaime Munguia to test himself again against John Ryder

Jaime Munguia will face another tough test when he takes on veteran John Ryder on Saturday in Phoenix.

FIGHT WEEK

Jaime Munguia will face another tough test when he takes on veteran John Ryder on Saturday in Phoenix. On Tuesday, in Japan, 108-pound champ Kenshiro Teraji will defend against Carlos Canizales.

KENSHIRO TERAJI (22-1, 14 KOs)
VS. CARLOS CANIZALES (26-1-1, 19 KOs)

  • Date: Tuesday, Jan. 23
  • Time: 4 a.m. ET / 1 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Edion Arena, Osaka, Japan
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Teraji’s WBA and WBC titles
  • Odds: Teraji 6-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Artem Dalakian vs. Seigo Yuri Akui, flyweights (for Dalakian’s title)
  • Prediction: Teraji KO 10
  • Background: Teraji is a two-time 108-pound champion who will be taking part in his 15th title fight in 24 career bouts when he faces Canizales in the early morning hours U.S. time. The 32-year-old resident of Kyoto has been perfect since his upset knockout loss to countryman Masamichi Yabuki in 2021, which cost him his WBC title. He rebounded to knock out Yabuki in three rounds in the rematch to regain his belt in 2022, stop Hiroto Kyoguchi in seven to become a unified champion later that year, stop Anthony Olascuago in nine rounds in April of last year and KO former beltholder Hekkie Budler in nine last September. Teraji, who has fought his entire career at 108 pounds, has said he will consider moving up to 112 if he doesn’t get another title-unification bout. He has expressed interest in challenging 112-pound titleholder “Bam” Rodriguez. Canizales is a 30-year-old former title challenger from Venezuela. He was stopped in six rounds by then-WBA betlholder Esteban Bermudez in 2021 in Mexico, after which he has beaten four consecutive second-tier opponents. Also on the card, WBA 112-pound titleholder Artem Dalakian (22-0, 15 KOs) is scheduled to defend his belt against mandatory challenger Seigo Yuri Akui (18-2-1, 11 KOs).

 

JAIME MUNGUIA (42-0, 33 KOs)
VS. JOHN RYDER (32-6, 18 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Jan. 27
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Footprint Center, Phoenix
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Super middleweight (168 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Munguia 3-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Also on the card: Gabriela Fundora vs. Christina Cruz, flyweights (for Fundora’s IBF title); Alan Picasso Romero vs. Erik Ruiz, junior featherweights
  • Prediction: Munguia UD
  • Background: Munguia has set his sights on undisputed 168-pound champion Canelo Alvarez but must overcome a second consecutive legitimate threat first. The 27-year-old Mexican, a former 154-pound beltholder, had to dig deep to pull out a unanimous, but close decision over skillful veteran Sergey Derevyanchenko in his debut as a full-fledged 168-pounder last June. He put Derevyanchenko down with a body shot in Round 12 to clinch the decision. Munguia has described the victory as the most important of his decade-long career. Next up for him is Ryder, a rugged, experienced southpaw from London who has failed in two bids to win a major title. He lost a disputed decision to then super middleweight champ Callum Smith in 2019, which enhanced Ryder’s reputation, and he gave a gutty performance in a unanimous-decision setback against Alvarez last May. He also outpointed Daniel Jacobs between those title fights, his most impressive victory. Also on the card Saturday, IBF 112-pound titleholder Gabriela Fundora (12-0, 5 KOs) will make the first defense of her belt against Christina Cruz (6-0, 0 KOs).

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

THURSDAY

  • Erik Bazinyan vs. Billi Facundo Godoy, super middleweights, Montreal (ESPN+)

SATURDAY

  • Lewis Crocker vs. Jose Felix, welterweights, Belfast, Northern Ireland (DAZN)
  • Omar Trinidad vs. Jose Perez, featherweights, Commerce, California (UFC Fight Pass)

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Kenshiro Teraji dominates, stops Hekkie Budler to retain 108-pound titles

Kenshiro Teraji dominated and then stopped Hekkie Budler to retain his two 108-pound titles on Monday in Tokyo.

Kenshiro Teraji was too much for an aging Hekkie Budler.

The Japanese 108-pound beltholder stopped his South African counterpart in the ninth round to retain his unified belts on Monday at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

Teraji (22-1, 14 KOs) was making the third defense in his second reign as champion.

The 31-year-old from Kyoto used a steady attack – including brutal body work – to wear down Budler, who started well but was less and less competitive as the fight progressed.

By Round 9, the former two-division fighter could no longer defend himself. He was taking a series of unanswered punches with his back against the ropes when referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia jumped in to stop the fight.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:19.

Teraji had a wide lead on the scorecards after eight rounds, 80-72, 79-73 and 79-93, meaning one judge had it a shutout while the other two gave Budler only one round each.

The champion has stopped all four of his opponents since he lost a belt to countryman Masamichi Tabuki by 10th-round knockout in 2021, including a third-round KO of Tabuki in an immediate rematch to start his second reign as titleholder.

Teraji became a unified champ by stopping Hiroto Kiyguchi in his subsequent fight.

Buddler (35-5, 11 KOs) had won his first two fights in a comeback but now, at 35, he will be hard pressed to become a three-time champ.

Kenshiro Teraji dominates, stops Hekkie Budler to retain 108-pound titles

Kenshiro Teraji dominated and then stopped Hekkie Budler to retain his two 108-pound titles on Monday in Tokyo.

Kenshiro Teraji was too much for an aging Hekkie Budler.

The Japanese 108-pound beltholder stopped his South African counterpart in the ninth round to retain his unified belts on Monday at Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

Teraji (22-1, 14 KOs) was making the third defense in his second reign as champion.

The 31-year-old from Kyoto used a steady attack – including brutal body work – to wear down Budler, who started well but was less and less competitive as the fight progressed.

By Round 9, the former two-division fighter could no longer defend himself. He was taking a series of unanswered punches with his back against the ropes when referee Jose Guadalupe Garcia jumped in to stop the fight.

The official time of the stoppage was 2:19.

Teraji had a wide lead on the scorecards after eight rounds, 80-72, 79-73 and 79-93, meaning one judge had it a shutout while the other two gave Budler only one round each.

The champion has stopped all four of his opponents since he lost a belt to countryman Masamichi Tabuki by 10th-round knockout in 2021, including a third-round KO of Tabuki in an immediate rematch to start his second reign as titleholder.

Teraji became a unified champ by stopping Hiroto Kiyguchi in his subsequent fight.

Buddler (35-5, 11 KOs) had won his first two fights in a comeback but now, at 35, he will be hard pressed to become a three-time champ.

Fight Week: Joe Joyce gets second crack at conqueror Zhilei Zhang

FIGHT WEEK Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce will fight a second time on Saturday, giving the former a chance to prove his upset knockout in April was no fluke. KENSHIRO TERAJI (21-1, 13 KOs) VS. HEKKIE BUDLER (35-4, 11 KOs) Date : Monday, Sept. 15 Time : …

FIGHT WEEK

Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce will fight a second time on Saturday, giving the former a chance to prove his upset knockout in April was no fluke.

KENSHIRO TERAJI (21-1, 13 KOs)
VS. HEKKIE BUDLER (35-4, 11 KOs)

  • Date: Monday, Sept. 15
  • Time: 2 a.m. ET / 11 p.m. Sunday PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Ariake Arena, Tokyo
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Teraji’s WBA and WBC titles
  • Odds: Teraji 9-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Junto Nakatano vs. Argi Cortes, junior bantamweights (for Nakatani’s WBO title)
  • Prediction: Teraji UD
  • Background: Teraji, an excellent boxer-puncher, is a two-time 108-pound titleholder who became a unified champion last year. The 31-year-old from Kyoto won his first belt in 2017, successfully defended eight times and then lost it by a 10th-round TKO against Masamichi Yabuki in 2021. Teraji regained the title in an immediate rematch six months later, stopping Yabuki in three rounds. He unified in his next fight by knocking out Hiroto Kyoguchi in seven rounds. He last fought on April 8, stopping Anthony Olasuagain nine rounds . Teraji has never fought outside Japan. Budler is a former two-division beltholder, with a 6-3 record in world title fights. The 35-year-old South African lost two out of three fights in 2017 and 2018, after which he left the sport for 2½ years. He’s 3-0 in his comeback. The fight with Teraji might be his last chance to reclaim a spot among the best in the business.

 

ZHILEI ZHANG (25-1-1, 20 KOs)
VS. JOE JOYCE (15-1, 14 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: OVO Arena Wembley, London
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Even (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Anthony Yarde vs. TBA, light heavyweights; Sam Noakes vs. Carlos Perez, lightweights; Pierce O’Leary vs. Kane Gardner, junior welterweights; Zach Parker vs. Khalid Graidia, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Joyce UD
  • Background: Joyce was moving rapidly toward a shot at a heavyweight title when Zhang shocked him and the boxing world by stopping the Briton in six rounds on April 15. Zhang, a southpaw, used his punishing left hand to close Joyce’s right eye and force the referee to stop the fight. Zhang will have a chance to demonstrate that his victory was no fluke while Joyce fights to save his career as an elite fighter in the rematch. Zhang suffered his first career loss last August, when he lost a close decision to unbeaten Filip Hrgovic but pumped life into his career by giving a solid performance. Then came the opportunity to fight Joyce. The key to Zhang’s success wasn’t complicated: The 6-foot-6, 280-pounder couldn’t miss his straight left from beginning to end, which rattled Joyce several times and began to cause swelling on his eye after only a few rounds. Joyce had some success but couldn’t avoid Zhang’s left. We’ll see in the rematch whether he will have made the necessary adjustments to the turn the tables.

 

RICHARDSON HITCHINS (16-0, 7 KOs)
VS. JOSE ZEPEDA (37-3, 28 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Caribe Royale, Orlando, Florida
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Hitchins 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Jessica McCaskill vs. Sandy Ryan, welterweights (for McCaskill’s WBA, WBC and WBO titles); Austin Williams vs. Steve Rolls, middleweights; Orestes Velazquez vs. Mohamed Soumaoro, junior welterweights
  • Prediction: Hitchins UD
  • Background: Hitchins is a rising 140-pound contender from New York City. The gifted 25-year-old has already faced some solid opponents but Zepeda – a fellow contender – arguably is his toughest test, at least on paper. Hitchins is coming off a shutout decision over previously unbeaten John Bauza on Feb. 4, his 11th consecutive victory over an opponent with a winning record. Zepeda is a three-time world title challenger known for his grit, which was most evident in his Fight of the Year performance against Ivan Baranchyk in 2020. The 34-year-old from the Los Angeles area was stopped in 11 rounds by Regis Prograis in a fight for a vacant 140-pound title last November. He rebounded to shut out journeyman Neeraj Goyat on March 25. A victory over Hitchins would be a significant step toward getting a fourth title shot.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Lester Martinez vs. Lionell Thompson, super middleweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

THURSDAY

  • Esteban Ibarra vs. Jose Angel Amaro, bantamweights, Monterrey, Mexico (DAZN)

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Fight Week: Joe Joyce gets second crack at conqueror Zhilei Zhang

FIGHT WEEK Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce will fight a second time on Saturday, giving the former a chance to prove his upset knockout in April was no fluke. KENSHIRO TERAJI (21-1, 13 KOs) VS. HEKKIE BUDLER (35-4, 11 KOs) Date : Monday, Sept. 15 Time : …

FIGHT WEEK

Zhilei Zhang and Joe Joyce will fight a second time on Saturday, giving the former a chance to prove his upset knockout in April was no fluke.

KENSHIRO TERAJI (21-1, 13 KOs)
VS. HEKKIE BUDLER (35-4, 11 KOs)

  • Date: Monday, Sept. 15
  • Time: 2 a.m. ET / 11 p.m. Sunday PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Ariake Arena, Tokyo
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Junior flyweight (108 pounds)
  • At stake: Teraji’s WBA and WBC titles
  • Odds: Teraji 9-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Junto Nakatano vs. Argi Cortes, junior bantamweights (for Nakatani’s WBO title)
  • Prediction: Teraji UD
  • Background: Teraji, an excellent boxer-puncher, is a two-time 108-pound titleholder who became a unified champion last year. The 31-year-old from Kyoto won his first belt in 2017, successfully defended eight times and then lost it by a 10th-round TKO against Masamichi Yabuki in 2021. Teraji regained the title in an immediate rematch six months later, stopping Yabuki in three rounds. He unified in his next fight by knocking out Hiroto Kyoguchi in seven rounds. He last fought on April 8, stopping Anthony Olasuagain nine rounds . Teraji has never fought outside Japan. Budler is a former two-division beltholder, with a 6-3 record in world title fights. The 35-year-old South African lost two out of three fights in 2017 and 2018, after which he left the sport for 2½ years. He’s 3-0 in his comeback. The fight with Teraji might be his last chance to reclaim a spot among the best in the business.

 

ZHILEI ZHANG (25-1-1, 20 KOs)
VS. JOE JOYCE (15-1, 14 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: OVO Arena Wembley, London
  • TV/Stream: ESPN+
  • Division: Heavyweight (no limit)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Even (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Anthony Yarde vs. TBA, light heavyweights; Sam Noakes vs. Carlos Perez, lightweights; Pierce O’Leary vs. Kane Gardner, junior welterweights; Zach Parker vs. Khalid Graidia, super middleweights
  • Prediction: Joyce UD
  • Background: Joyce was moving rapidly toward a shot at a heavyweight title when Zhang shocked him and the boxing world by stopping the Briton in six rounds on April 15. Zhang, a southpaw, used his punishing left hand to close Joyce’s right eye and force the referee to stop the fight. Zhang will have a chance to demonstrate that his victory was no fluke while Joyce fights to save his career as an elite fighter in the rematch. Zhang suffered his first career loss last August, when he lost a close decision to unbeaten Filip Hrgovic but pumped life into his career by giving a solid performance. Then came the opportunity to fight Joyce. The key to Zhang’s success wasn’t complicated: The 6-foot-6, 280-pounder couldn’t miss his straight left from beginning to end, which rattled Joyce several times and began to cause swelling on his eye after only a few rounds. Joyce had some success but couldn’t avoid Zhang’s left. We’ll see in the rematch whether he will have made the necessary adjustments to the turn the tables.

 

RICHARDSON HITCHINS (16-0, 7 KOs)
VS. JOSE ZEPEDA (37-3, 28 KOs)

  • Date: Saturday, Sept. 23
  • Time: 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (main event later in show)
  • Where: Caribe Royale, Orlando, Florida
  • TV/Stream: DAZN
  • Division: Junior welterweight (140 pounds)
  • At stake: No major titles
  • Odds: Hitchins 3½-1 favorite (average of multiple outlets)
  • Pound-for-pound: None
  • Also on the card: Jessica McCaskill vs. Sandy Ryan, welterweights (for McCaskill’s WBA, WBC and WBO titles); Austin Williams vs. Steve Rolls, middleweights; Orestes Velazquez vs. Mohamed Soumaoro, junior welterweights
  • Prediction: Hitchins UD
  • Background: Hitchins is a rising 140-pound contender from New York City. The gifted 25-year-old has already faced some solid opponents but Zepeda – a fellow contender – arguably is his toughest test, at least on paper. Hitchins is coming off a shutout decision over previously unbeaten John Bauza on Feb. 4, his 11th consecutive victory over an opponent with a winning record. Zepeda is a three-time world title challenger known for his grit, which was most evident in his Fight of the Year performance against Ivan Baranchyk in 2020. The 34-year-old from the Los Angeles area was stopped in 11 rounds by Regis Prograis in a fight for a vacant 140-pound title last November. He rebounded to shut out journeyman Neeraj Goyat on March 25. A victory over Hitchins would be a significant step toward getting a fourth title shot.

 

ALSO FIGHTING THIS WEEK

WEDNESDAY

  • Lester Martinez vs. Lionell Thompson, super middleweights, Plant City, Florida (ProBox TV)

THURSDAY

  • Esteban Ibarra vs. Jose Angel Amaro, bantamweights, Monterrey, Mexico (DAZN)

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