A victory celebration was held on 18 August at Hotel Granvia Kyoto in Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, to honour new WBO super-flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji (34, BMB Gym) on regaining a world title and becoming the eighth Japanese male boxer to win world titles in three weight divisions. Addressing approximately 300 supporters’ club members, Teraji pledged further success, stating, “I was confident in becoming a champion. I intend to keep working hard and stay active.”
安道後援会長と寺地㊨
The celebration began with the “Kotobuki Sansha” dance performed by three geiko from Miyagawacho. Following congratulatory remarks from Koji Ando, president of the Kenshiro Teraji Supporters’ Club, Teraji was presented with a victory bonus and a floral tribute from the geiko. Takatoshi Nishiwaki, Governor of Kyoto Prefecture, Masaaki Murata, Mayor of Joyo City, and Atsuko Matsumura, Mayor of Uji City, each offered speeches celebrating the resurgence of their local hero.
In the vacant title contest held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on 20 July, Teraji controlled the tempo with sharp jabs against fourth-ranked Israel Gonzalez (Mexico), scoring two knockdowns en route to a unanimous decision victory. The win saw him regain a world title after a one-year absence and marked his conquest of a third weight division, adding to his previous titles at light-flyweight and flyweight.
Teraji had surrendered his unified flyweight titles in July last year following a split-decision defeat to Ricardo Sandoval (USA). In his attempt to rebuild, he moved up in weight to challenge for the IBF super-flyweight title in December, only for the bout to be cancelled post-weigh-in after the champion fell ill, leading to a difficult period for the fighter.
“After the defeat, my next fight was cancelled, and I went through some extremely difficult times, but I kept pushing forward with the sole goal of returning to the top,” Teraji told the audience. “I am truly glad that I endured the training and persevered, and seeing everyone here so happy makes it all worthwhile.”
While details regarding his next contest remain unconfirmed, Teraji expressed his desire to fight before the end of the year and voiced his ambition to become the first Japanese fighter to unify titles in three different weight classes.
