Kenshiro Teraji vs Cristofer Rosales Preview October 13th, 2024
Former Ring, WBA ‘Super’ and WBC Jr. Flyweight Champion Kenshiro Teraji of Japan will be attempting to capture the vacant WBC Flyweight Title this Sunday, October 13th when he takes on former WBC Flyweight Champion Cristofer Rosales of Nicaragua. The 12-rounder from Tokyo can be seen live in America on ESPN+ with the card kicking off about 4am ET while those in the UK and Ireland can catch it on Sky Sports + at 9am UK time. Teraji’s last contest took place in January when he beat Carlos Canizales by majority decision to defend his Light Flyweight Belt. Rosales last boxed in March Francisco Gomez Sanchez via an eight-round unanimous decision.
Teraji vs Rosales Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Cristofer Rosales +450
- Kenshiro Teraji -700
My Pick
The 32-year-old ‘Amazing Boy’ Teraji of Kyoto originally won his WBC Light Flyweight Title from Ganigan Lopez via majority decision in May, 2017 in just his 10th pro fight. He 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 and Randy Petalcorin both in four rounds. Teraji then downed Tetsuya Hisada via a unanimous decision before losing to Masamichi Yabuki in their first fight in an uspet in September, 2022 when he was stopped on his feet in the 10th round.
He rebounded well from his lone pro loss by stopping Yabuki in the third round in their rematch six months later and then halting the previously unbeaten world champion Hiroto Kyoguchi in the seventh round to take his WBA “Super” Light Flyweight Crown and The Ring version. He defended both belts by stopping Anthony Olascuaga in the ninth round in April and against former world champion Hekkie Budler in the same round last September. The baby-faced Teraji has boxed 174 rounds since turning pro back in 2014. After all of his recent action, Teraji makes the ring walk with an impressive record of 23-1 with 14 Ko’s despite running into a little bit of trouble outside of the ring a few years ago.
He’s not really known as a one-punch knockout artist but 60.9 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage including four of his past five and six of the eight. His power shouldn’t be underestimated though especially when combined with his speed. Teraji stands 5-feet-5-inches tall with a 64-inch reach. He’s displayed a solid chin so far and possesses fine boxing skills against quality opposition as none of his 24 opponents entered the ring with a losing record as he basically jumped in feet first as a pro. He’s is also a fine counter-puncher with a good defence and is extremely quick.
Rosales is a cousin of Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez and a 29-year-old native of Managua who measures 5-feet-6-inches tall with a 71-inch reach for a two-inch edge in height over Teraji as well as a seven-inch reach advantage. He’s boxed 274 rounds since turning pro back in 2013 and steps into the ring with a mark of 37-6 with 22 Ko’s. He lost unanimous decisions to Keyvin Lara over four rounds in 2013; to Khalid Yafai over; a wide 12-round decision to Andrew Selby in 2017 despite dropping him in the first round; a unanimous decision to Charlie Edwards in 2018; a ninth-round TKO to Julio Cesar Martinez in 2019 in an attempt at the vacant WBC Belt and a 12-round unanimous decision to Angel Ayala Lardizabal in 2022.
Rosales has won five straight fights now against limited opposition. He has a solid chin despite being stopped by Martinez and possesses decent power as 59.5 per cent of his wins have been by stoppage. But he’s halted just one of his last eight opponents. He won the vacant WBC Flyweight Title in April, 2018 when he stopped Daigo Higa in the ninth round. Haiga came in over weight and the title was on the line for Rosales only. He defended it against Paddy Barnes with a fifth-round stoppage before losing the belt to Edwards. Rosales also has wins over Mohammed Obbadi (WBC International Flyweight Title), Martin Tecuapetla (WBC Latino Flyweight Title), and Sammy Reyes as well as Ulises Martin for the vacant WBA Fedcentro Light Flyweight Title in 2016. He’d also won that title a year earlier along with the Nicaraguan Flyweight Belt.
Prediction…
Teraji is a solid world champion who is going after world title in a second weight division. He’s already fought 15 straight world title fights so has plenty of experience. Rosales has fine boxing skills to go with his power so this isn’t going to be an easy night for either boxer. Both are fan-friendly action fighters who are at their best when they throw punches in volume. An upset is possible here as Rosales has the skills to pull out a win, but as as long as Teraji lets his hands go rather than trying to do too much tactical thinking he should win another belt in a close fight.
Teraji has to throw punches in bunches to win another title.
Play: Teraji -700 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Cristofer Rosales betting • Kenshiro Teraji betting