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Even the best can look vulnerable and that was proven when unified light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji labored to a hard-fought 12-round majority decision over gutsy Venezuelan contender Carlos Canizales on January 23.
Teraji decked the challenger in round two but had to get off the canvas himself in the third. Both men traded some hellacious blows in the middle rounds and the fight remained close down the stretch. Had the decision gone against Teraji, he could have had no complaints.
Entering the bout, many were considering the Japanese star for a spot on the mythical pound-for-pound ratings. However, despite the win, this was not the kind of performance that would take Teraji to these lofty heights.
Was it a one-off or a warning sign that The Amazing Boy’s days on top are numbered?
The Sporting News now takes a look at the Top-12 light flyweight boxers in the world today:
Light flyweight rankings: The Sporting News’ top 12
Rank Fighter Titles Record Movement (Jan. 23, 2024) 1 Kenshiro Teraji WBA, WBC, Ring 23-1 (14 KOs) – 2 Adrian Curiel IBF 24-4-1 (5 KOs) – 3 Jonathan Gonzalez WBO 27-3-1 (14 KOs) – 4 Sivenathi Nontshinga 12-1 (9 KOs) – 5 Hekkie Budler 35-5 (11 KOs) – 6 Masamichi Yabuki 15-4 (14 KOs) – 7 Elwin Soto 20-3 (13 KOs) – 8 Carlos Canizales 26-2-1 (19 KOs) – 9 Daniel Matellon 13-1-2 (7 KOs) – 10 Shokichi Iwata 11-1 (8 KOs) – 11 Regie Suganob 14-1 (4 KOs) – 12 Miel Fajardo 11-1-2 (10 KOs) –
The best in the world at light flyweight: Kenshiro Teraji
Teraji, 32, won the WBC crown in 2017 at the expense of Ganigan Lopez. He made eight successful defences before a Covid-induced loss to countryman Masamichi Yabuki that was later avenged via a brutal third-round knockout.
Since then, Teraji has unified the WBA title and added The Ring championship to his collection by battering Hiroto Kyoguchi into submission.
The Japanese star is on the cusp of a pound-for-pound rating.
The Sporting News’ Boxing Ratings
Rules | Men’s P4P | Women’s P4P
Heavyweight | Cruiserweight | Super Middleweight | Super Lightweight | Lightweight | Super Featherweight | Featherweight | Light Flyweight | Minimumweight