World Boxing Council and World Boxing Association light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji of B.M.B. Boxing Gym, unleashing rapid left and right combinations, stopped Anthony Olascuaga of the United States in the ninth round to retain his titles on Apr. 8 in Tokyo.

It was the 31-year-old Teraji’s second successful defense of the WBC title and his first of the WBA crown.
The technical knockout of the scheduled 12-rounder at Ariake Arena came 58 seconds into the round when Teraji put his gutsy challenger against a corner and landed a barrage of punches to the head, causing his 24-year-old opponent to collapse right there, and the referee immediately stopped the fight.
The fight dubbed ‘’Prime Video Presents Live Boxing 4’’ was the main event of the day.

After the fight, Teraji said, ‘’While my heart was going to break off during the fight, I was saved by advice of my cornermen and teammate. My opponent was strong. So, I fought with my spirit alone in the end. Since I became stronger thanks to the hard-fought fight, I will show a better performance in my next fight.’’

‘’In the future, I want to unify the remaining titles of the World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation. At the same time, I may move up in weight (to the flyweight division),’’ Teraji added.
Olascuaga was chosen as a substitute for WBO light flyweight champion Jonathan Gonzalez of Puerto Rico some 10 days ago since the left-handed Gonzalez was stricken with mycoplasma pneumonia late last month, and the planned title unification fight with Teraji was called off.

Teraji got off to a good start as he moved side to side while landing left jabs and straight rights to the head and body. Teraji dropped Olascuaga immediately before the end of the third round with a counter right to the head for a mandatory eight count.

But the previously undefeated Olascuaga showed his mettle and exchanged fierce punches with Teraji and momentarily staggered the Japanese late in the eighth round.

With the win, Teraji improved his record to 21 wins, including 13 KOs, against a loss. For his part, Olascuaga has a 5-1 win-loss tally with three KOs.

Meanwhile, top-ranked World Boxing Association bantamweight Takuma Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym hammered out a unanimous decision over second ranked Liborio Solis of Venezuela to win the vacant WBA bantamweight title fight held as the chief supporting card.

While the 27-year-old Inoue suffered a severe cut above his left eyelid due to an accidental head butt (an elbow blow according to unofficial video replay) in the fifth round, he recovered quickly and landed straight rights to the head and body of the 41-year-old Solis, who desperately aimed at connecting with his vaunted overhand rights.

After the fight, Inoue said, ‘’I am relieved very much since this is the title my elder brother (Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue) vacated. Since I am a younger brother (of Naoya Inoue), I have to overcome that pressure all the time.’’

‘’I suffered a cut eye for the first time in my career. But I kept my chin up. My ultimate aim is to unify all the four (bantamweight) titles like my brother did.’’

With the victory, Inoue has a record of 18 wins, including four KOs, against a loss, whereas Solis, a former WBA super flyweight champion, fell to a 35-7-1 win-loss-draw tally with one no contest. He attained 16 KOs.