UNINTENDED
GREATNESS
BOXING WAS NEVER THE DREAM THAT KENSHIRO TERAJI WAS CHASING, BUT THE TWO-DIVISION TITLEHOLDER QUICKLY DISCOVERED HIS INNER CHAMPION AND IS NOW ONE OF THE SPORT’S MOST TALENTED FIGHTERS By Daisuke Sugiura
S ince turning professional in August 2014, diminutive Japanese warrior Kenshiro Teraji has made good on his ring moniker, “The Amazing Boy.” This 33-year- old boxing juggernaut annexed world titles in two weight classes, unified in both, and won the Ring Magazine championship at 108 pounds. He is currently the WBA and WBC flyweight titleholder.
to the excellent Masamichi Yabuki in 2021, he gained revenge via knockout in a direct rematch the following year. And it was his come-from-behind, 12th-round stoppage of compatriot Seigo Yuri Akui in a flyweight unification bout on March 13 that took Teraji’s reputation to new heights and vaulted him into the pound-for-pound ratings.
But despite everything that The Amazing Boy has accomplished in his Hall of Fame-worthy career, his greatest challenges could lie ahead of him. The likes of fellow pound- for-pounder Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez,
In the ring, Teraji has done it all. He was dropped early in his career by an undefeated Filipino named Rolly Sumalpong and got up to win. After suffering his only professional setback
(Above) Teraji blasts compatriot and former sparring partner Seigo Yuri Akui in their classic unification bout.
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