World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji of B.M.B. Boxing Gym expressed his confidence on Apr. 6 in knocking out Anthony Olascuaga of the United States, who will replace the disease-stricken World Boxing Organization light flyweight champion Jonathan Gonzalez of Puerto Rico, in Teraji’s title defense on Apr. 8 at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena.

The 31-year-old Teraji told the day’s press conference at a Tokyo hotel that he is determined to show that there is no comparison between them.

Though Olascuaga, the WBA’s second-ranked flyweight, is right-handed, Teraji said, ‘’While my opponent has been changed from the previous left-handed boxer to the right-handed one, I don’t mind fighting with an orthodox-style boxer based on my experience.’’

Since Gonzales, a southpaw, was found to have been suffering from mycoplasma pneumonia late last month, Olascuaga was chosen for various reasons, including the matter of visa acquisition. The 24-year-old American was serving as a sparring partner in Tokyo for world-ranked light flyweight Shokichi Iwata of Teiken Boxing Gym who fought on Apr. 1.

According to Teraji, he had only three four-round sparring sessions with orthodox-style boxers ever since the cancellation of the fight with Gonzalez was officially decided. But he said that is enough as he said, ‘’I want to deck him by moving forward. I want a knockout victory by all means.’’

Meanwhile, Olascuaga, who is regarded as a promising boxer, said he is looking forward to showing his boxing techniques in such a big fight. Though Teraji is a strong boxer, he will climb through the ropes with the victory in mind.

It will be Teraji’s second defense of the WBC title and his first of the WBA crown in the main event of the day’s extravaganza dubbed ‘’Prime Video Presents Live Boxing.’’

Teraji, who has a 20-1 win-loss tally with 12 KOs, once sparred with Olascuaga during his training in the U.S. last year. For his part, Olascuaga, who has a record of five straight wins, including three KOs, after an amateur career, was supposed to face Jo Shiraishi of Shisei Boxing Gym on Apr. 15 in South Korea’s Incheon.