Kenshiro Teraji edges Carlos Cañizales in a fabulous firefight

At the EDION Arena in Osaka, Japan, the WBC and WBA light flyweight champion, Japanese Kenshiro Teraji, retained his titles by defeating able Venezuelan Carlos Cañizales achieving a victory by majority decision after a great and memorable fight.

Cañizales had a promising start, being more active, but Teraji cleverly adjusted his strategy by using the jab effectively, range finding.

Teraji scored the first knockdown of the fight at the end of the second round. A right hand to the temple wobbled Cañizales, who recovered to battle on with the verve of intensity.

Teraji looked more comfortable and confident, which Cañizales took advantage of complacency to land a powerful left hook, knocking the champion down.

The rest of the fight was very closely contested with alternating dominance of both, demonstrating their seasoned ability, cunning and ring craft.

The Judges’ scores were Jeremy Hayes 113-113, Jun Bae Lim 114-112 and Omar Mintun 114-112 for Teraji.