It has been announced that a triple world title event, “U-NEXT BOXING.3,” promoted by Teiken Promotions, will take place on July 30 at Yokohama BUNTAI. The event will be streamed live exclusively on the video distribution platform U-NEXT.
In the main event, WBA and WBC World Flyweight Champion Kenshiro Teraji (BMB) — 25 wins (16 KOs), 1 loss — will face Ricardo Sandoval (USA), who is ranked No. 2 by the WBO, No. 3 by the WBA and IBF, and No. 4 by the WBC. This will mark Teraji’s second defense of his WBC title and his first defense of the WBA title.
In the semi-final, former WBC World Flyweight Champion and current WBA Bantamweight No. 3 Daigo Higa (Shisei Gym) — 21 wins (19 KOs), 3 losses, 2 draws — will challenge WBA Regular Bantamweight Champion Antonio Vargas (USA) — 19 wins (11 KOs), 1 loss, 1 no contest — who was elevated to regular champion status following Seiya Tsutsumi (Kadoebi Gym) being designated as champion in recess.
Kyosuke Takami (Teiken Gym), the highly promising prospect praised by Teiken Gym Chairman Akihiko Honda — who confidently stated, “There’s no doubt he’ll become a world champion at light flyweight” — is ranked No. 1 by the WBA in the light flyweight division. Takami, who holds an undefeated record of 9 wins (7 KOs), will challenge two-division world champion and current WBA World Light Flyweight Champion Erick Rosa (Dominican Republic), who is also undefeated with 8 wins (2 KOs).
The 25-year-old Rosa made history by capturing a world title in just his fourth professional fight — the fastest ever by a Dominican boxer and the second-fastest in boxing history. On July 21, 2021 (Japan time: July 22), he won the WBA interim minimumweight title in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, by defeating the previously unbeaten Ricardo Astuvilca (Peru) via unanimous decision over 12 rounds, just nine months after his pro debut.
Later that year, on December 21 (Japan time: December 22), Rosa fought WBA regular champion Vic Saludar (Philippines) — with a record of 26 wins (16 KOs) and 6 losses — in a unification bout in Santo Domingo, winning by split decision over 12 rounds to become the WBA regular champion.
He was then ordered to face WBA super champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong (Thailand), who held a record of 26 wins (10 KOs) and 1 loss. Rosa traveled to Thailand for the bout scheduled on March 1, 2023, but the fight was cancelled after he was denied entry due to passport issues. Since then, multiple attempts to finalize a WBA title unification bout have repeatedly fallen through. In January of last year, Rosa vacated his minimumweight title and moved up to the light flyweight division.
In his debut at light flyweight, Erick Rosa defeated Yudel Reyes (Mexico) — 16 wins (6 KOs), 4 losses — by unanimous decision over 12 rounds, capturing the WBA Gold title in the division. On December 19 of last year (Japan time: December 20), Rosa faced Nader Valdez (Mexico) — 14 wins (11 KOs), 2 losses, 2 draws — in a bout for the vacant WBA world light flyweight title, which had been relinquished by Kenshiro Teraji (BMB). Rosa won by unanimous decision, becoming a two-division world champion.
Now, Kyosuke Takami will challenge the undefeated Dominican southpaw, Rosa. On April 8, Takami fought in a Japanese light flyweight title bout against then-champion Toshiki Kawamitsu (Misako Gym) — 11 wins (7 KOs), 2 losses — who was ranked No. 3 by the WBC, No. 8 by the WBO, and No. 12 by the IBF. Takami dominated from the early rounds and secured a TKO victory at 2:26 of the 6th round to capture the national title.
This impressive performance earned Takami a rise in the WBA rankings from No. 3 to No. 1. Chairman Akihiko Honda praised Takami, stating, “He’s a naturally gifted fighter, the best we’ve had in a while. With his world ranking, we’re ready for a title shot anytime,” giving the green light for a world championship challenge.
The target they’ve chosen is none other than the two-division world champion Rosa — arguably the strongest champion in the division today. All eyes will be on how Takami and his trainer Sendo Tanaka plan to take down this formidable opponent.
Having watched Kyosuke Takami train since he was in elementary school, I truly want to witness the moment he captures a world title!
Related Article：https://japansports-boxingmaster.com/wba-world-light-flyweight-no-1-contender-kyosuke-takamis-negotiations-to-challenge-champion-erick-rosa-have-entered-the-final-stage/
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