By Ken Hissner: In a unification bout Tuesday over ESPN+ WBC two-time World Light Flyweight champion Kenshiro “The Amazing Boy” Teraji stopped WBA Super World Light Flyweight champion Hiroto Kyoguchi in the seventh round in the Main Event promoted by Akihiko Honda at the Super Arena, Saitama, Japan. In the co-Main Event WBO World Light Flyweight champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez defeated Japan’s, Japanese, OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific Light Flyweight champion Shokichi Iwata over 12 rounds.
In the Main Event WBC two-time World Light Fly champ Kenshiro “The Amazing Boy” Teraji, 20-1 (12), #107 ¼, of Kyoto, JAP, stopped WBA World Light Flyweight champ Hiroto Kyoguchi, 16-1 (11), #107 ½, of Osaka, JAP, at 2:36 of the seventh round to unify both titles of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the first two rounds Teraji dominated the first with a jab and the second firing rights to the chin against defense minded Kyoguchi. In the third round the fight fought in the middle of the ring Teraji again controlled the fight while Kyoguchi used counter left uppercuts to the body.
In the fourth round Teraji landed a flurry of punches halfway through the round. Kyoguchi was staying to body for the most part. In the fifth round a right from Teraji on the chin twenty seconds into the round dropped Kyoguchi for an 8-count from Referee Michiaki Someya. He dominated until the final thirty seconds when it was Kyoguchi rocking Teraji dominating the fight right up to the bell having Teraji in trouble.
In the sixth round Teraji dominated the round with his jab. In the seventh round Teraji kept up the offense into the final minute when Kyoguchi landed a right twenty seconds into it. With half a minute remaining Teraji landed a right on the chin driving Kyo into the ropes and down as referee Michiaki Someya waved it off.
In the Co-Main Event WBO World Light Fly champ southpaw Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez, 27-3-1 (14), #108, of Caguas, PR, successfully defended his title defeating Japan, OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific Light Fly champ Shokichi Iwata, 9-1 (6), #107 ½, of Tokyo, JAP, over 12 rounds.
In the ninth round Iwata had his way halfway through the round. Just when Gonzalez seemed to tire he came back finishing strong. In the tenth round as long as Gonzalez was on the move he did well. When he stood toe to toe Iwata got the best of him.
In the eleventh round Gonzalez continued to counter Iwata. In the twelfth and final round Iwata was desperate needing a knockout. He was warned twice for hitting while in a clinch and hitting on the break by Referee Raul Caiz, Jr. Gonzalez continued moving and countering Iwata right up to the bell.
Scores 117-111, 116-112 twice and the same by this writer.
In a Non-Title fight WBO World Flyweight champ southpaw Junto Nakatani, 24-0 (18), #114 ½, of Sagamihara, Kanagawa, JAP, defeated southpaw Francisco ”Chihuas” Rodriguez, Jr., 36-6-1 (25), #115, of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, MEX, over 10 rounds.
In the first four rounds the taller Nakatani dominated. In the seventh round Referee Tetsuya Lida pulled Rodriguez to the side telling judges the blow was low but didn’t take a point. Rodriguez continued going from southpaw to orthodox throughout the fight. Both had their moments.
In the eighth round Nakatani drew blood from the nose of Rodriguez and a cut under his left eye. Rodriguez had one moment midway landing a left hook to the chin stunning Nakatani. In the ninth round Rodriguez midway landed a solid left to the chin of Nakatani but didn’t follow up taking the rest of the round off. In the tenth and final round at the halfway point Rodriguez landed a left on the chin of Nakatani getting his attention. In the last thirty seconds it was all Nakatani having Rodriguez holding on.
Scores were 98-91, 99-90 and 97-92 and 97-93 by this writer.
WBO Asia Pacific Light champ Shuichiro Yoshino, 16-0 (12), #135, of Tokyo, JAP, stopped Masayoshi Nakatani, 20-3 (14), #134 ¼, of Tokyo, JAP, at 1:14 of the sixth round of a scheduled 12 rounds.
In the third round a clash of heads caused a nasty gash under the left eye of Nakatani. Nakatani did well in the final minute. In the fifth round’s final twenty seconds a right from Yoshino on the chin drove Nakatani to the canvas for an 8-count from referee Referee Toshio Sugiyama as the bell sounded.
In the sixth round Nakatani came out throwing punches in bunches until a right from Yoshino dropped him receiving an 8-count from referee Sugiyama. As he got up he was completely exhausted as referee Sugiyama wisely called a halt with no argument from Nakatani.
Ring Announcer Jimmy Lennon, Jr.