Japan Crowns Second Unified Champion But Loses, Fails to Win Another Belt
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 14 Mar 2025
Results from triple world boxing title bouts at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo yesterday had Japan crowning a second unified titleholder but losing a belt and failing to win another title to make up for the loss.
Newly-crowned WBC flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji became unified titlist when he stopped WBA flyweight titleholder Yuri Seigo Akui in the last round of their main event 12 round unification bout.
In the main supporting bout, WBO light flyweight champion Shokichi Iwata surrendered his title by 12 round unanimous decision defeat to Puerto Rican challenger Rene Santiago.
In the other supporting bout, former two division world champion Hiroto Kyoguchi failed to wrest the WBO flyweight championship going down by 12 round unanimous decision defeat to defending American titlist Anthony Olascuaga.
Teraji was trailing slightly on points in the cards of two judges and desperately go for broke in the 12th and final round to force the stoppage over the tiring Akui.
Meanwhile Kyugochi, a former title victim of Teraji when Teraji won his first unified world championship at light flyweight, tried to overpower Olascuaga from Los Angeles. Olascuaga not only proved too tough and elusive but also connected with punches and combinations that won the nod from all three neutral judges.
Judges John Basile scored it 117-110, Surat Soikranchang, 114-113 and Muhammad Aquil Tamano, 118-109 all in favor of Olascuaga.
The Iwata-Santiago bout was also like the Olascuaga-Hiroto fight but this time it was the champion Iwata who took the fight to the challenger looking for a knockout. But the Puerto Rican established his jabs and at times connected with eye catching rights.when forced to stand his ground.
Judges Basile scored it 118-110, Soikranchang, 117-111 and Aquil Tamano, 116-112 all for Santiago.
Japan still has a total of seven reigning world champions, the most in Asia, led by undisputed super bantamweight titlist Naoya Inoue.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Japan Crowns Second Unified Champion But Loses, Fails to Win Another Belt
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 14 Mar 2025Weights From Bethlehem, PA
Fri, 14 Mar 2025QUOTES FROM FINAL WILLIAMS VS. VOLNY PRESS CONFERENCE IN ORLANDO
Fri, 14 Mar 2025May 4: Rafael Espinoza-Edward Vazquez Featherweight World Title Battle Confirmed as Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas Co-Feature at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Fri, 14 Mar 2025DEVASTATING EXIT FOR DEFENDING CHAMPION KRAUSE
Fri, 14 Mar 2025Fight Results from Sanman Boxing Event at Bula Gymnasium in General Santos City
Thu, 13 Mar 2025Flores Family: Filipino Fistic Fury
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Thu, 13 Mar 2025March 22 fight card at Tropicana Atlantic City has strong local flavor
Thu, 13 Mar 2025Inoue to Fight Cardenas in the USA on May 4, Another "Expensive" Mismatch Expected
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 13 Mar 2025PH's Top Chess Players to See Action at DG's Cup 2025 Invitational Chess Tournament This Friday
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 13 Mar 2025A Monster May: Pound-For-Pound King Naoya Inoue to Defend Undisputed Junior Featherweight Crown Against Ramon Cardenas May 4 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
Thu, 13 Mar 2025HACKETT SEEKS ROMAN REVENGE IN ORLANDO
Thu, 13 Mar 2025World Boxing approves applications from National Federations in China, Turkey, Sudan, Greece, Montenegro and Slovakia to increase membership to 84 countries
Thu, 13 Mar 2025SAMPSON BOXING SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH UNDEFEATED MEXICAN SUPER WELTERWEIGHT ISAAC LUCERO
Thu, 13 Mar 2025Athletes secure guaranteed prize money on day three of IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš
Wed, 12 Mar 2025