The present chief at junior flyweight is shifting into some particular conversations.
Since its inception within the Seventies, the ranks of junior flyweight champions have included a number of spectacular Corridor of Fame abilities. Hilario Zapata, Jung Koo Chang, Myung-Wuh Yuh, Michael Carbajal, and Chiquita Gonzalez all earned their place among the many greats. Roman Gonzalez had a sojourn within the class and can be a part of them.
Kenshiro Teraji is making his case amongst their fraternity. After struggling a surprising loss in 2021 to Masamichi Yabuki, Kenshiro reversed the end result in his subsequent combat after which capped 2022 with a career-best unification win over Hiroto Kyoguchi. Earlier than he can pursue the remainder of the belts within the division, he’ll face one of the vital constant names within the title ranks under flyweight over the past decade.
Hekkie Budler has been a titlist at 105 kilos and a Ring Journal and unified titlist at 108. Since a lone stoppage loss to Kyoguchi in 2018, Budler has received three straight together with a career-saving determination over former titlist Elwin Soto. This may very well be his final massive shot, a conflict of two of the decrease weight stalwarts of their era.
Will Kenshiro proceed his quest for undisputed or can Budler spring one other massive highway shock according to his upset of Ryoichi Taguchi? We’ll discover out Monday morning (ESPN+, 5 AM EST).
Let’s get into it.
Stats and Stakes
Kenshiro Teraji
Age: 31
Title: Lineal/TBRB/Ring Journal World Jr. Flyweight (2022-Current, 1 Protection); WBC mild flyweight (2022-Current, 2 Defenses); WBA mild flyweight (2022-Current, 1 Protection)
Earlier Titles: WBC mild flyweight (2017-21, 8 Defenses)
Top: 5’5
Weight: 107 ¼ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Report: 21-1, 13 KO, 1 KOBY
Report in Main Title Fights: 12-1, 8 KO, 1 KOBY
Final 5 Opponents: 80-16-2 (.827)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB/Ring Rated Foes: Ganigan Lopez MD12, KO2; Pedro Guevara MD12; Milan Melindo TKO7; Tetsuya Hisada UD12; Masamichi Yabuki TKO by 10, KO3; Hiroto Kyoguchi TKO7
Extra Outcomes, Present/Former Champions/Titlists Confronted: None
Vs.
Hekkie Budler
Age: 35
Title: None
Earlier Titles: WBA minimumweight (2013-16, 5 Defenses); Ring/WBA/IBF Gentle Flyweight (2018)
Top: 5’3
Weight: 107 ½ lbs.
Stance: Orthodox
Hails from: Johannesburg, South Africa
Report: 35-4, 11 KO 1 KOBY
Press Rankings: #2 (Ring), #3 (TBRB), #4 (ESPN) #7 (BoxRec)
Report in Main Title Fights: 6-3, 2 KO, 1 KOBY (7-3, 3 KO, 1 KOBY together with interim title bouts)
Final 5 Opponents: 78-18-5 (.797)
Notable Outcomes, TBRB and/or Ring Rated Foes: Juantito Rubillar MD12; Florante Condes UD12; Nkosinathi Joyi SD12; Xiong Zhao Zhong UD12; Simphiwe Khonco UD12; Byron Rojas L12; Milan Melindo L12; Ryoichi Taguchi UD12; Hiroto Kyoguchi TKO by 10; Elwin Soto UD12
Extra Present/Former Titlists Confronted: None
The Decide: Budler has remained a titlist or contender for greater than a decade with craft and ring intelligence. He’s an efficient counter puncher with good timing and anticipation, capable of work off the again foot or in shut quarters when referred to as on. He’s not the quickest man at his weights however he’s bought lengthy arms that enable him to erase a few of that deficit.
They received’t be lengthy sufficient on Monday. The pace distinction between Budler and Kenshiro seems dramatic on tape. Kenshiro can also be the taller man with a pointy edge in energy. Even when Budler can get Kenshiro to return ahead into his counters, the champion’s means to counter off something Budler lands ought to imply mounting punishment because the rounds go by. Budler is intelligent sufficient to increase the combat some rounds however he’s unlikely to halt Kenshiro’s three-fight knockout streak. The pic is Kenshiro through stoppage typically round or after the eighth spherical.
Extra Monday Decide
Junto Nakatani Dec. Argi Cortes
Rold Picks 2023: 27-7
Cliff Rold is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene, a founding member of the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board, a member of the Worldwide Boxing Analysis Group, and a member of the Boxing Writers Affiliation of America. He might be reached at [email protected]