Hiroto Kyoguchi vs Kenshiro Teraji Preview November 1st, 2022
There’s a fantastic World Light Flyweight unification bout this Tuesday, November 1st as unbeaten WBA ‘Super’ Jr. Flyweight Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi takes on fellow countryman Kenshiro Teraji, who owns the WBC version. The bout the Saitama Super Arena can be seen live in America on ESPN+ starting approximately 4:30 am ET while most other nations can catch the action on DAZN. Teraji last fought in March when he stopped Masamichi Yabuki in the third round in a rematch to regain his title. Teraji was stopped at the end of the 10th round when the two first met in September of last year. Teraji had successfully defended the belt eight times times since winning it in 2017 with five of those coming by knockout. Kyoguchi last saw action in June when he stopped Esteban Bermudez in the eighth round.
**Watch live on DAZN this Tuesday. Your first month is free.
Kyoguchi vs Teraji Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Kenshiro Teraji +165
- Hiroto Kyoguchi -205
My Pick
The 28-year-old Kyoguchi of Osaka made his pro debut in 2016 and has boxed 108 rounds since. He stands 5-feet-4-inches tall with a 64-inch reach and enters the ring with a perfect mark of 16-0 with 11 Ko’s. He won the IBF Minimumweight Title in 2017 with a unanimous decision over Jose Argumedo and defended it against Carlos Buitrago by eighth-round stoppage and against Vince Paras by unanimous decision.
Kyoguchi then stepped up in weight and took the WBA Jr Flyweight Crown with a 10th-round KO over Hekkie Budler in December, 2018. He defended it against Tanawat Nakoon and Tetsuya Hisada by unanimous decisions before stopping Axel Vega in March, 2021. Kyoguchi has very good power in his hands with a current knockout ratio of 68.8 per cent but has gone the distance in five of his last 10 fights. He’s quick boxer with fine speed and mobility to go along with his power.
The 30-year-old Teraji of Kyoto originally won his title from Ganigan Lopez via majority decision in May, 2017 in his 10th pro fight. He then defended it by majority decision over Pedro Guevara, a fourth-round stoppage of Gilberto Pedroza and then a first-round KO over Lopez in their rematch. He followed that up with a seventh-round stoppage over Milan Melindo before beating Saul Juarez by unanimous decision and then stopping Jonathan Taconing Petalcorin both in four. He then downed Tetsuya Hisada via a unanimous decision before losing to Yabuki.
The baby-faced Teraji is nicknamed ‘Amazing Boy’ and turned pro back in 2014. He’s compiled an impressive record so far at 19-1 with 11 Ko’s. He’s not really known as a big puncher with a current knockout ratio of 55 per cent but his power definitely can’t be underestimated especially when combined with his speed. He stands just over 5-feet-4-inches tall with a reach of 64 inches, making him the same size as Kyoguchi.
Teraji has boxed a total of 137 pro rounds and has been involved in a few close decisions in his career. He’s displayed a solid chin so far as he was stopped on his feet by Yabuki, and possesses good boxing skills. Nineteen of his 20 opponents have had winning records so he basically jumped in feet first as a pro. Teraji is also a fine counter-puncher with a good defence and is also extremely quick.
Prediction…
Both Kyoguchi and Teraji are solid world champions with the former at 7-0 in world title fights with 3 Ko’s and the latter at 10-1 with 6 Ko’s. They met four times as amateurs with Teraji holding a 3-1 edge in those meetings. Teraji is more of an action fighter with a higher volume of punches usually flying from his fists while Kyoguchi, who is also the Ring Magazine Champion, is a little more controlled. This is an excellent matchup and it has the potential to be a fight-of-the-year candidate. It’s an extremely close call but I’m leaning slightly towards Kyoguchi.
Kyoguchi possesses a bit more power.
Play: Kyoguchi -205 @ BetOnline.ag
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Hiroto Kyoguchi betting • Kenshiro Teraji betting