On March 13, 2025, boxing enthusiasts gathered at the iconic Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo for the much-anticipated "U-NEXT BOXING 2" event, featuring three world championship title fights.
The highlight of the evening was the WBC and WBA flyweight title unification match between Kenshiro Teraji and Yuri Akui. Fans watched with bated breath as WBC champion Teraji, who entered the ring at 33 years of age, faced off against the 29-year-old WBA champion Akui. Both fighters had weighed in under the limit prior to the event, with Teraji at 50.6 kg and Akui at 50.7 kg.
After 12 intense rounds, Teraji emerged victorious by TKO at 1:31 of the final round, thereby claiming the unified title. This victory marked Teraji's second major title unification, having previously held the light flyweight championship. Speaking post-fight, Teraji remarked, “Next, I want to fight Bam (current WBC super flyweight champion Jesse Rodriguez); please look forward to it.”
The event also featured several other exciting bouts. The semi-main event showcased WBO world flyweight champion Ansoni Alas against Ginjiro Shigeoka, where Alas successfully defended his title with a unanimous decision win by scores of 114-113, 117-110, and 118-109.
Meanwhile, WBO world light flyweight champion Yuki Tanaka faced Rene Santiago, but unfortunately lost his title defense, succumbing to Santiago by unanimous decision.
Adding to the event's intrigue, 2021 amateur world champion Taku Inoue made his professional debut against Buenlven Fajardo of Thailand. It was quite the spectacle, as the highly-touted prospect achieved victory via TKO just 2 minutes and 34 seconds of the second round.
The evening was filled with thrilling exchanges and fierce competitiveness. Early on, both main event fighters were cautious, probing for openings. Teraji's strategical use of jabs against Akui’s powerful shots created an exciting yet tense atmosphere.
The match reached its climax as it progressed to the 12th round; many spectators anticipated the bout ending decisively only through the judges' scorecards. Yet, with just over one minute left, Teraji landed clean shots, causing Akui to falter, prompting the referee to intervene for the TKO.
Teraji's growth as a fighter was evident since moving up from light flyweight, which he had relinquished the previous year to challenge for the flyweight title. His ascent was marked by significant victories, including overcoming then-undefeated champion Artem Dalakian of Ukraine to secure the WBA title.
Meanwhile, Akui, having claimed the WBA title by defeating Dalakian, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to unite titles, saying, “This was my third defense opportunity; I have to seize it.” Despite his loss, he displayed commendable resilience against Teraji.
The event broadcast live exclusively on U-NEXT from 4:20 PM, making it accessible for fans who could not attend. For those who missed the live match, the channel promised to archive the fights for viewing until April 12, 2025.
Other fights of the evening contributed to the exemplary showcase of talent. Taku's impressive entrance to professional boxing received high praise as he efficiently demonstrated speed and power against Fajardo, confirming his status as one to watch.
“I enjoyed my time boxing and want to build on this initial success,” said Taku after his debut, displaying both relief and determination.
The WBO match saw Tanaka struggle against Santiago. Despite entering with high hopes, Tanaka's first title defense appeared lackluster, and he was unable to adapt to Santiago's effective strategies, leading to his first defeat.
While Alas successfully defended his title, the evening shifted focus back to Teraji, whose triumph left him eyeing new contenders. He reiterated his ambition of creating exciting matchups, stating confidence stemming from his recent victory.
For boxing fans, the night was one to savor, marked by exceptional performances from seasoned champions and promising newcomers. The matches not only showcased skill and determination but also heralded the emergence of young talent within the sport.
Teraji's monumental win reshaped the flyweight division, potentially setting the stage for highly awaited bouts against elite fighters across across boxing hierarchies. The resonance of cheering crowd still echoed within the arena as the event concluded, hinting at belief and excitement surrounding Japanese boxing.
Overall, "U-NEXT BOXING 2" not only provided fantastic entertainment but also reaffirmed boxing's presence within Japan's rich sports scene, making fans eager for the next installment of matchups featuring both established and aspiring fighters.