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Proving that Kenshiro Teraji defended his WBC and WBA junior flyweight titles in an early fight to become a contender for Fight of the Year. The defending WBC/WBA junior flyweight champion fended off a strong challenge from Carlos Canizales to achieve a unanimous decision victory in their exciting fight.
Judge Jeremy Hayes (113-113) returned an even decision after twelve hard-fought rounds. However, judges Jun Bae Lim and Omar Mintun both gave the numbers 114-112) for Kenshiro Teraji's victory in the main match at EDION Arena, Osaka, Japan, Tuesday (24/1/2024).
Canizales got off to a promising start. Teraji reached with his jab, but he was forced to adjust as Canizales scored with a left hook and looked for an overhand right.
Teraji scored the first knockdown of the fight at the end of the second round. Canizales connects with a left hook, but he's not ready for a counter.
A right hand to the head threw off the balance of Canizales, who tried to grab Teraji around the waist. Instead he grabbed her leg and both fell to the canvas. Referee Luis Pabon stopped the count when Canizales managed to get to his feet and exit the round.
The momentum only lasted a short time for the defending champion. Teraji was too confident and couldn't survive at the end of the third round. Canizales exploited the situation and landed a left hook. Teraji was pressed and forced to touch the canvas.
Canizales landed an opening right hand, at which point the knockdown occurred. A fierce duel occurred in the fourth round. Both fighters landed heavy blows at close range. Canizales lands a left hook. Teraji answered with a hard right hand as he dodged a counter punch.
Both fighters stepped up their rhythm in the fifth round. Teraji opened the round with a pair of right hands that pushed Canizales towards the ropes. An attack to the body also came towards Teraji. Canizales responded strongly in the second half of the round and managed to land a right hand hard enough to force Teraji to stop punching in the final seconds.
Teraji took advantage in the sixth and seventh rounds. Canizales continued to press forward and land powerful strikes, but he seemed to be starting to tire. Teraji kept his composure and landed several right shots in a hard seventh round. Canizales enjoyed the attack in the middle of the round and scored points with his uppercuts. That happened when he fought with his mouth open, when Teraji punished the challenger at the end of the round.
Canizales struggled to find his mojo as his activity level dropped drastically in the eighth round. Teraji uses his jab to get inside and lands a right hand behind him. Canizales targeted his opponent's body, which Teraji responded with an upward left hook. Canizales threw his punches late in the round and followed up by landing a right after the bell.
(aww)