The world’s leading flyweights are on notice as elite-level operator Kenshiro Teraji debuts at 112 pounds by taking on Cristofer Rosales for the vacant WBC title on Sunday, October 13, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
The 12-round bout is the co-main event beneath Takuma Inoue vs. Seiya Tsutsumi and can be seen on ESPN+ in the U.S.
Teraji (23-1, 14 KOs) has been on the cusp of pound-for-pound contention for several years. The amiable Japanese star went 14-1 in light flyweight title bouts and won WBA, WBC and Ring Magazine championships. Career-defining triumphs include Ganigan Lopez (twice), Milan Melindo, Hiroto Kyoguchi, Hekkie Budler and Masamichi Yabuki, the latter in a revenge win.
WATCH: Takuma Inoue vs. Seiya Tsutsumi, exclusively on ESPN+
Rosales (37-6, 22 KOs) is a dependable warrior who fights out of Nicaragua. In 2018, he scored an upset ninth-round stoppage of Daigo Higa to win the very WBC title he’ll be contesting this weekend. After one defense, he lost the belt to Britain’s Charlie Edwards, but Rosales has remained on or around the world level since. At 30, he’s two years younger than the home favorite.
The Sporting News looks at the odds for this WBC flyweight title fight and makes a final prediction on the outcome.
Kenshiro Teraji vs. Cristofer Rosales odds, betting
Per BetMGM, Teraji is the -750 favorite while Rosales is the +500 underdog. The draw is +1600.
Kenshiro Teraji vs. Cristofer Rosales prediction
It’s well-known that this step up in weight is long overdue for Teraji. In his last fight, against Carlos Canizalez, he was way below par and perhaps even fortunate to get the decision. “The Amazing Boy” absorbed a lot of punishment and looked flat and lacking in energy.
Rosales is a career flyweight and might have a slight edge in strength. Having mixed it with the best on away soil before, he will not be intimidated by going into the lion’s den in Japan. He’s fought former world champions Kal Yafai and Charlie Edwards in England and Andrew Selby in Wales.
However, fights often come down to talent, and that’s what Teraji has the most of. At his age, the extra four pounds should give him a new lease on life, which means we should see him back to his very best. He’ll be incredibly motivated to become a two-weight world champion and there are huge nights ahead of him if he wins.
I expect Teraji to box from the outside in the early rounds and layer his offense as the rounds progress. Rosales will stay with him and impose himself, but he’ll be outgunned and will be shipping too many punches by the midway point. The Nicaraguan star suffered a TKO loss to Julio Cesar Martinez in 2019, and I expect Teraji to inflict his second stoppage defeat.
SN Prediction: Teraji TKO 9
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