Japanese star Kenshiro Teraji is the finest light flyweight in the world today and he seeks to prove his supremacy once again when he faces former champion Hekkie Budler at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.
The 12-round bout, plus undercard action, will be broadcast by ESPN+ in the U.S. on September 18.
Teraji, who will be defending the WBA, WBC and Ring 108-pound championships, has defeated every opponent he’s faced. With a 21-1 (13 KO) record, the super-skilled boxer-puncher is on the cusp of pound-for-pound recognition and the sky is the limit.
However, despite all of his own wonderful accomplishments, Teraji is still inspired by Japan’s most famous fighting man and hopes to replicate his growing international success.
“Definitely, my influence is Naoya Inoue,” Teraji told The Sporting News through Masa Ueda. “He is simply a great fighter. Every time I see Naoya Inoue fight, it stimulates me. I hope to be as good as Inoue someday.
“I don’t know if I will be able to bring the spotlight at light flyweight, but I guess I just have to show my strength every fight. I’ve been told by people my recent fights are enjoyable to watch, so I will try to show what I can do in every fight.”
WATCH: Sign up for Kenshiro Teraji vs. Hekkie Budler live, exclusively on ESPN+
And just as Inoue is in the form of his life after destroying Stephen Fulton to become a four-weight world champion, so too is Teraji, who is 12-1 in world title fights. The 31-year-old’s lone defeat was a Covid-related stoppage loss to Masamichi Yabuki in 2021, which was brutally avenged via third-round knockout six months later.
“My goal was to defend the title 14 times,” said Teraji, of his desire to break the record for the most consecutive defences of a world title by a Japanese national, passing 13 by former WBA light flyweight champ Yoko Gushiken.
“After I lost [in defence No.9], I changed my goal to become an undisputed champion. I believe in myself that I can become an undisputed champion at 108. The only worry is those fights get made.”
🚨🇯🇵 A world title doubleheader goes down in Tokyo on September 18.
— Top Rank Boxing (@trboxing) July 31, 2023
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Again, Teraji would be looking to follow in the footsteps of Inoue, who became an undisputed champion at bantamweight in December 2022. All going well against Budler, “The Amazing Boy” could conceivably reach his goal in three fights.
In April, Teraji was supposed to face WBO counterpart Jonathan Gonzalez, who withdrew due to a bout of pneumonia. Disappointed, Teraji scheduled the contest with Budler, though Gonzalez remains a tantalizing target for the unified champ
“I would love to fight Gonzalez – earlier the better,” stated Teraji before addressing the fact that the Puerto Rican champ would be his first lefty opponent since Randy Petalcorin in 2019. “I don’t mind going against a southpaw. In fact, I think I’m good with southpaws. I had a great preparation and was confident [of winning] in April.”
Teraji acknowledged that he knows very little about IBF champion Sivenathi Nontshinga. The South African is unbeaten in 12 fights with nine knockouts and has made a solid impression at the championship level. A sharp boxer and a solid hitter, he bested Hector Flores in a classic encounter to win the vacant title and outpointed Regie Suganob in his maiden defence.
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The 24-year-old Nontshinga would undoubtedly open as a big underdog against the vastly more experienced Teraji, but it would still be an intriguing clash of styles.
For now, however, all eyes are on Teraji’s next title defence. Budler, 35, has the requisite experience to compete at the world level, but boxing is about timing and the former two-weight world champ is much closer to the end than the beginning.
A diligent professional, Teraji is supremely confident in taking care of business before an adoring home crowd. The champion has studied his prey and going the distance is not part of the plan on September 18.
“Budler uses his footwork to control the fight,” acknowledged Teraji before predicting the challenger’s fate. “He’s a very clever fighter, but I don’t think he’ll be able to withstand my pressure. I hope to knock him out in the mid-rounds.”
WATCH: Sign up for Kenshiro Teraji vs. Hekkie Budler live, exclusively on ESPN+
