Kenshiro Teraji halts Hekkie Budler
WBA and WBA Super light flyweight champion, Japanese Kenshiro Teraji, TKO’d former world champion Hekkie Budler in the ninth round, this Monday, September 18, at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Japan, broadcast live on Amazon Prime and ESPN.
From the outset, 35-year-old Budler tried to take control of the ring but defending champion Teraji managed business with his long jab, maintaining his rival at a barge pole distance.
In the second round, 31-year-old Kenshiro went on to the offensive, landing left hooks to the body, while 'The Hexecutioner' from Johannesburg tried to keep up the pace and counterpunch.
'The Amazing Boy' Teraji kept control, but South African Budler showed fightiing spirit, even though he was sometimes caught flush by the champion’s thudding combinations.
The end came in round nine when Kyoto's Kenshiro attacked and Budler could no longer respond or defend himself from the sustained onslaught, backed up against the ropes, thus obliging Mexican referee Lupe García to stop the fight there and then.
Teraji improved to 22-1 (14KOs). The victory was his fourth in a row since he regained his WBC title with a third-round revenge knockout of compatriot Masamichi Yabuki. His last four fights since defeat to Masamichi Yabuki in 2021 have all ended via knockout. Budler was the 12th opponent he has beaten in a world title fight and eighth by KO. He is now 12-1 in world championship contests.
Budler dips to 35-5 (11KOs) in an unsuccessful attempt to become world champion again.
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