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Kenshiro Teraji stops Hiroto Kyoguchi to become WBC and WBA junior flyweight champion

Kenshiro Teraji Getty

A seventh round stoppage for Kenshiro Teraji capped off a dominant performance against Hiroto Kyoguchi which saw him become the WBA and WBC junior flyweight champion. 

From the first bell, WBC title holder Teraji dictated the pace of the fight. While Kyoguchi maintained his high guard in an attempt to expose any flaws in his opponent, Teraji got to work and landed a beautiful combination to the body in round one. 

Teraji then went to work on breaking Kyoguchi's guard in the second and did exactly that. His jab was proving too much for the 28-year-old who as the fight progressed, began to feel the effects of the countless number of punches Teraji was landing. 

As the pace of the fight increased, Kyoguchi was beginning to look more out of his depth, and he was dropped by a Teraji right hand in the fifth, but what followed was something no one expected. Kyoguchi managed to rally and land a few hard-hitting shots of his own in the final minute which brought an end to a potential round of the year contender. 

Round six was a much quieter affair, but Teraji didn't let the chaos that was evident in the fifth distract him from the task at hand, he remained disciplined and managed to nullify any threat Kyoguchi might pose using his jab. 

The pace was the increased once more by Teraji in the seventh, but it was Kyoguchi who struck first with a right hand, but this spelled the beginning of the end for the WBA champion whose valiant effort came to an end as a result of another Teraji right hand which sent Kygouchi tumbling towards the ropes and forced the referee to stop the fight. 

Now holding both the WBC and WBA junior flyweight titles, the path to undisputed is surely the one to pursue for Kenshiro Teraji and one of his potential future foes got the win earlier on the card in the form of WBO junior flyweight champion Johnathan Gonzalez. 

Gonzalez managed to overcome promising Japanese prospect Shokichi Iwata who throughout this fight asked serious questions of the defending champion. There were times Iwata troubled the Puerto Rican veteran, but Gonzalez managed to use his experience to snatch the victory after 12 hard-fought rounds with a unanimous decision. 

Relive the highlights of the two fights below. 

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Round 3: Gonzalez cut, looking frustrated

Jonathan Gonzalez has picked up a cut above his right eye after another accidental clash of heads. 

Shokichi Iwata is stepping up the pressure, landing another perfect right hand to the body before finding success upstairs. 

10-9 Iwata 

Round 2: Eventful, but for the wrong reasons

The accidental headbutt was the standout moment from the round. 

Jonthan Gonzalez did seem to make the most of it, but a much better round from the Puerto Rican who has started to throw, he is looking to establish his left hand. 

10-9 Gonzalez

Accidental headbutt and Gonzalez is down

There has been an accidental headbutt between the two fighters in the second round.

Jonathan Gonzalez seems to have taken the worst of it, the WBO junior flyweight champion spent a long period of time on the floor before gathering himself and now lines up in a neutral corner.

The second round resumes.

Round 1: Iwata on the front foot

Shokichi Iwata is trying to impose himself on Jonathan Gonzalez in the opening round. 

The challenger is looking to adjust to Gonzalez's southpaw stance and landed a strong body shot midway through the round. 

10-9 Iwata

Gonzalez vs. Iwata is underway

Our first world title fight of the evening is underway. 

Gonzalez vs. Iwata is imminent

We are almost set for our first of two world title fights on today's bill.

WBO junior flyweight champion Jonathan Gonzalez and Shokichi Iwata will be making their way to the ring shortly. 

DAZN exclusive interview with Anthony Joshua

While we wait for Jonathan Gonzalez and Shokichi Iwata to make their ringwalks, check out this DAZN exclusive interview with former unified world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua. 

Full card rundown

There are two world title fights which top the bill at the Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

First up will be WBO junior flyweight champion Jonathan Gonzalez who defends his title against Shokichi Iwata.

This will then be followed by the main event between WBC junior flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji and WBA champion Hiroto Kyoguchi. 

Welcome

Hello and welcome to DAZN's coverage of Kenshiro Teraji vs. Hiroto Kyoguchi for the WBA and WBC junior flyweight titles. 

DAZN subscribers in Europe can watch this fight here

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