This week lost one of its best fights when WBC light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji tested positive for COVID, scrapping a September 10th defense against dangerous puncher Masamichi Yabuki. Luckily, it seems the case was mild, as BoxingNews.jp reports that the bout is back on for September 22nd after Teraji “went through detailed examinations” and was cleared to compete.
Though limited to just one fight since 2019 due to the pandemic and a drunk driving incident, Teraji (18-0, 10 KO) remains among the best in the world at 108. Countryman Yabuki (12-3, 11 KO) is 5-0 since a split decision loss to unbeaten standout Daniel Matellon, and his only other defeats came to very strong fighters in Junto Nakatani and Seigo Yuri Akui. This is a well-matched and potentially violent matchup that I’m very happy to see back on the schedule.
And once it’s done, I can get right back to complaining that they never rescheduled Teraji’s planned unification with Felix Alvarado.