In a dramatic turn of events, Ricardo Rafael Sandoval upended the reigning champion Kenshiro Teraji in a tense battle for the flyweight world titles during a night of upsets and heart-stopping moments in Yokohama, Japan.
Sandoval Unseats Teraji
Ricardo Rafael Sandoval, a 26-year-old from California, displayed sheer perseverance as he bounced back from an early knockdown in the fifth round. Bringing his A-game against Kenshiro Teraji, the two-weight world champion, Sandoval claimed victory through a split decision—115-112, 115-112 and 113-114 on the scorecards. What seemed like an uphill battle turned into a remarkable triumph for Sandoval, a reflection of his dedication since starting boxing as a ten-year-old.
“I feel amazing. I never thought since I started at 10 years old we would be on this stage,” Sandoval expressed, elated after the victory that will surely redefine his career.
A Night of Mixed Fortunes in Yokohama
The evening wasn’t in favor of the local fans, who witnessed their champion, Teraji, suffer only his second career loss since 2021. Along with him, Daigo Higa fought valiantly but fell short of clinching the bantamweight world title, ending in a draw with Antonio Vargas, another American fighter. Vargas executed a thrilling last-minute knockdown to balance the score at 113-113 and retain his WBA bantamweight world title. “It’s not the outcome I wanted. I guess it is a title defence. I wouldn’t mind getting my rematch,” Vargas shared as he looked towards future challenges. As noted in BBC, his championship defense has invigorated boxing fans globally.
Glimmers of Hope for Japanese Boxers
Despite the night’s setbacks, Japanese boxing fans found reason to cheer as Kyosuke Takami ended the event on a high note by defeating Erick Rosa to claim the WBA light-flyweight title. This win brought a glimmer of joy to the home crowd eager for local victories.
What Lies Ahead?
The boxing world is left pondering the futures of Teraji and Higa following their recent bouts. With Vargas willing to face Seiya Tsutsumi, who entered the ring post-fight, the stage is set for engaging rematches and fresh rivalries. As the dust settles in Yokohama, the evening’s events have undoubtedly sparked anticipation and excitement across the boxing globe. Both Sandoval and Vargas have left an indelible mark on the international boxing stage. The world watches with bated breath as the narratives of these athletes continue to unfold.
