(Sept. 14, 2022) — The light flyweight division takes center stage Tuesday, Nov. 1, as two championship fights with three world titles at stake headline a loaded card from Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.
 
WBC champion Kenshiro Teraji attempts to unify titles against WBA king Hiroto Kyoguchi in the main event. In the co-feature, Puerto Rico’s WBO champion, Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez, will defend his strap versus Japanese contender Shokichi Iwata.
 
Teraji-Kyoguchi, Gonzalez-Iwata, and undercard action will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 7:30 a.m. ET/4:30 a.m. PT.
 
“The Amazing Boy” Teraji (19-1, 11 KOs) is an eight-year pro who won the WBC world title in May 2017. He made eight defenses of that crown until a stunning 10th-round knockout defeat to Masamichi Yabuki last September. Less than six months later, Teraji exacted revenge with a third-round knockout over Yabuki to regain his title. Kyoguchi (16-0, 11 KOs) is a two-weight champion who was the IBF 105-pound ruler until he vacated that belt to move up to light flyweight. Since winning the WBA light flyweight crown on New Year’s Eve 2018 against Hekkie Budler, he has made four title defenses. He is coming off June’s eighth-round stoppage over Esteban Bermudez, which ranks among the year’s best title fights.
 
Gonzalez (26-3-1, 14 KOs) fell short in his first attempt at a world title in 2019 against Kosei Tanaka. He fulfilled his championship destiny last October when he edged Elwin Soto by split decision. Gonzalez defended his WBO title in June with a unanimous decision against Filipino upstart Mark Anthony Barriga. Iwata (9-0, 6 KOs), from Tokyo, won the Japan Boxing Commission, OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific titles en route to earning his first world title shot.
 
In other action scheduled on the ESPN+ stream:
 
Junto Nakatani (23-0, 18 KOs) vs. Francisco Rodriguez (36-5-1, 25 KOs), 10 rounds, junior bantamweight — WBO flyweight champion Nakatani tests the junior bantamweight waters against Mexican action star Rodriguez, a former unified 105-pound world champion.
 
Shuichiro Yoshino (15-0, 11 KOs) vs. Masayoshi Nakatani (20-2, 14 KOs), 12 rounds, WBO Asia Pacific Lightweight Title — Yoshino is coming off a technical decision over former world champion Masayuki Ito. Nakatani rebounded from last year’s knockout loss to Vasiliy Lomachenko with June’s first-round blitzing of Harmonito Dela Torre.
 
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Hiroto Kyoguchi retained the WBA Light Flyweight title with a savage beatdown of WBA Regular champion Esteban Bermudez in Guadalajara, Mexico

In round two, Bermudez was bleeding badly over his left eye.

In round seven, Kyrguchi was deducted a point for hitting behind the head. In round eight, Kyoguchi went into successfully finished Bermudez with a series of hard chopping right hands and the fight was stopped at 24 seconds.

Kyoguchi, 107 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 16-0 with 11 knockouts. Bermudez, 107.8 lbs of Nazahualcyatl, MEX is 14-4-2.

Hernandez Stops Castaneda in 1

Eduardo Hernandez stopped Jorge Castaneda in the opening round of their 10-round super featherweight bout.

In round one, Hernandez rocked Castaneda with a hard left. He sent Castaneda down with another left hand. With Castaneda already hurt, Hernandez jumped on Castaneda and landed a huge flurry of punches and the fight was stopped at 1:35

Hernandez, 129.9 lbs of Tlalnepantia, MEX is 32-1 with 29 knockouts. Castaneda, 129.9 lbs of Laredo, TX is 15-2.

Pacheco Stops Ortega in 4

Diego Pacheco remained undefeated by stopping Raul Ortega in round four of their 10-round super middleweight bout.

In round one, Pacheco dropped Ortega with a heavy flurry. In round two, it was a left to the body that sent Ortega to a knee. The bout was stopped at 3:00 of round four.

Rivas Defends Super Bantamweight Title with Stoppage over Fernandez

Mayerlin Rivas defended the WBA Super Bantamweight title with a stoppage over Karina Fernandez after round four of their 10-round bout.

In round one, Rivas dropped Fernandez with a hard right. In round three, Fernandez was bleeding badly out of her nose. After the round, the fight was halted.

Rivas, 121.9 lbs of Maracaibo, MEX is 17-4-2 with 11 knockouts.

Martinez Defeats Nunez Gomez in pro debut

Jesus Martinez made a successful pro debut won a four-round unanimous decision over Daniel

In round one, Martinez dropped Nunes Gomez from a hard right hand.

Angel Garcia stopped Alexis Molina in the fifth round of their six-round super featherweight fight.

Garcia, 127.9 lbs of Zapoplan. MEX is now 7-0-2 with six knockouts. Molina, 127.4 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 8-1-1.

Jorge Ignacio Villalobos won a six-round unanimous decision over Fabian Gonzalez in a bantamweight bout.

Villalobos, 117.3 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX won by scores of 60-54 twice and 59-55 and is now 11-1-3. Gonzalez, 116.8 lbs of Guadalajara, MEX is 9-4.

Anthony Herrera and Kennyn Valenzuela battled to a six-round split draw in a bantamweight contest.

Valenzuela won a card 59-58; Herrera 58-56 and a third card was even at 57-57.

Herrera, 118 lbs of Los Angeles, CA is 2-0-1. Valenzuela, 118 lbs of Baja California, MEX is 5-2-1.

Aaron Aponte remained undefeated with a six-round split decision over Leo Leon Martinez in a super lightweight bout.

Aponte, 139.5 lbs of Hialeah Gardens, FL won two cards 58-56. Martinez won a card 58-56.

Aponte is 6-0. Martinez of Baja California, MEX is 2-2.

Live on Before the Bell from 4pm CDT
 
6 x 3 mins Super-Lightweight contest
 
Aaron Aponte (139.5lbs)      vs.     Leo Leon Martinez
Hialeah Gardens, Florida                Baja California, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
6 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest
 
Anthony Herrera (118lbs)    vs.     Kennyn Valenzuela (118lbs)
Los Angeles, California          Baja California, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
6 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest
 
Fabian Gonzalez (116.8lbs)  vs.     Jorge Ignacio Villalobos (117.3lbs)
Guadalajara, Mexico                       Guadalajara, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
6 x 3 mins Super-Featherweight contest
 
Alexis Molina (127.4lbs)       vs.     Angel Garcia (127.9lbs)
Guadalajara, Mexico                       Zapoplan, Mexico
 
Live on DAZN from 7pm CDT
 
4 x 3 mins Bantamweight contest
 
Jesus Martinez (118lbs)        vs.     Daniel Nunez Gomez (118lbs)
Del Rio, Texas                                 Durango, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins Super-Middleweight contest
 
Diego Pacheco (168.4lbs)     vs.     Raul Ortega (168lbs)
Los Angeles, California          Baja California, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins WBA World Super-Bantamweight championship
 
Mayerlin Rivas (121.9lbs)     vs.     Karina Fernandez (121.9lbs)
Maracaibo, Venezuela           Chihuahua, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
10 x 3 mins WBC International Silver Super-Featherweight championship
 
Jorge Castaneda (129.9lbs)  vs.     Eduardo Hernandez (129.9lbs)
Laredo, Texas                                  Tlalnepantla, Mexico
 
Followed by
 
12 x 3 mins WBA Super and Ring Magazine World Light-Flyweight titles
 
Hiroto Kyoguchi (107.8lbs)   vs.     Esteban Bermudez (107.8lbs)
Tokyo, Japan                                   Nezahualcóyotl, Mexico

Matchroom and DAZN announce two new shows today as Hiroto Kyoguchi will defend his WBA Super and Ring Magazine World Light-Flyweight titles against Esteban Bermudez at the Arena Coliseo in Mexico City, Mexico on Friday June 10, live worldwide on DAZN, in the latest installment of Matchroom and DAZN’s fight series in Mexico, in association with Canelo Promotions and Clase Y Talento and then Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez will defend his WBC World Super-Flyweight title against Srisaket Sor Rungvisai on Saturday June 25 at the Tech Port Arena in San Antonio, live worldwide on DAZN (except Uzbekistan & Thailand) and leading a stacked quadruple header of World title action.
 
Kyoguchi (15-0 10 KOs) puts the titles he ripped from Heikie Buddler in December 2018 on the line for the fourth time and makes a welcome return to the ring after his entertaining battle with the pocket rocket Axel Aragon Vega in Dallas in March 2021 came to an end when the challenger was forced to quit the bout with a hand injury in the fifth round.
 
The Japanese, who previously defended the titles in successive points wins over Tanawat Nakoon and Tetsuya Hisada in June and October of 2020 in his homeland, fights in Mexico for the first time in the paid ranks and does so against a hungry contender.
 
Bermudez (14-3-2 10 KOs) holds the WBA Regular title after handing a first career defeat to defending champion Carlos Canizales in stunning fashion – flooring the belt-holder towards the end of the sixth round before wiping him out with 23 seconds left in the session. The 26 year old will be fired up to elevate to Super champ and rip the coveted Ring Magazine strap from Kyoguchi, and the defending king knows he’s in for a big test on June 10 as he covets unification bouts down the line.
 
“It was always my dream to fight in Mexico because the Mexican style has influenced me a lot,” said Kyoguchi. “It is a great opportunity to show my boxing in that country against a rival like Esteban Bermudez. Regarding the unification fight, I think it is my mission as absolute champion.”
 
“He is a very good champion but kind of weak because too many injuries – I’ve been waiting a year for him to fight me!” said Bermudez. “I live from boxing, and I’ve needed this fight to happen for a long time. I’ve been at training camp for this fight, and he is coming to my home town, the title is going to still here.” 
 
Two weeks later, focus switches to a monster card in San Antonio, as Rodriguez (15-0 10 KOs) makes the first defense of the belt he won in stunning fashion in February, flooring former World ruler Carlos Cuadras en-route to becoming the youngest current World champion in just his 15^th pro-outing. ‘Bam’ will get a hero’s welcome on his home turf when he steps through the ropes in San Antonio for the first time as king of the world and only the third time in his career, boxing on his doorstep in his third and fifth fights in June 2017 and March 2018 respectively.
 
The 22 year old could hardly face a stiffer test when putting his belt on the line for the first time, coming up against former two-time Super-Fly kingpin Rungvisai (50-5-1 43 KOs). The Thai star was set to face Cuadras in a long-awaited rematch for the title in San Diego, only for Rungvisai to fall ill and be replaced at late notice by the new young champion. The 35 year old has a chance to get his hands on the coveted green and gold strap for a third time, having first held the belt in 2013 and then reclaiming it against Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez three years later.
 
“Fighting a guy like Rungvisai is going to bring me to a whole new level,” said Rodriguez. “He’s a great fighter but this is my time now. You have to take risks in this sport, that’s what special fighters do. They said it was a risk me challenging for a World title fight on short notice and now they say it’s a risk taking on a fighter like Rungvisai but this is what I want. These are the types of fights you need so you can be remembered by the fans long after your career is done.
 
“I’ve always said that me and my brother are going to bring the big fights back to San Antonio and this is just the start of it. We are so proud to be from this city and we get that love back from the people there so this will be a special night.”
 
“Jesse might be the youngest current World champion, but this is a fight where he can prove he already belongs with the very best in boxing,” said trainer Robert Garcia. “We have a lot of respect for Rungvisai, we know what he is capable of, and he is a great, great fighter but I also know what Jesse is capable. I have so much belief in him, and I know he is ready for this.”
 
“I am very excited for this opportunity to fight for the WBC World title,” said Rungvisai. “I will be at my best to win the WBC World title and become the first three times WBC World champion in the history of Thailand. Thank you so much to Matchroom, DAZN, and the WBC for this opportunity.”
 
Rodriguez and Rungvisai lead a stellar night of action with three more World title fights on the bill, with Julio Cesar Martinez and McWilliams Arroyo picking up where they left off from their curtailed firefight for Martinez’s WBC World Flyweight title, where both men hit the canvas in the opening round and Arroyo touched down again in the second, before the action in New Hampshire in November had to be halted after Arroyo suffered a nasty cut from an accidental headclash.
 
Arroyo (21-4 16 KOs) has been out of action since that night, while Martinez (18-2 14 KOs) bravely rolled the dice to take on modern great Chocolatito as the headline act on the night Rodriguez won his belt.
 
World title clash number three on the bumper card will see IBF and WBA World Super-Bantamweight champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev defend his titles against Ronny Rios. The pair were set to meet in New Hampshire in November, but COVID ruled Rios out and he was replaced by game late challenger Jose Velasquez. Akhmadaliev (10-0 7 KOs) retained his belts with a near-shutout on the cards, going the distance for just the third time in his 10^th pro bout, and second as a World champion. Rios (33-3 16 KOs), the mandatory challenger for the WBA crown, goes for glory for the second time in his 36-fight career after challenging Rey Vargas for the WBC strap at 122lbs in August 2016.
 
The fourth bout on the card has the most belts on the line, as undisputed Welterweight ruler Jessica McCaskill makes the third defense of all her marbles at 147lbs. McCaskill (11-2 4 KOs) ripped the straps from long-standing ruler Cecilia Braekhus on the streets of Downtown Tulsa in August 2020 and saw off the Norwegian in a rematch for her first defense in March 2021. The Chicagoan recorded the fourth stoppage win of her career in the second defense of the belts in December, ending Kandi Wyatt’s challenge in the seventh, and will face an opponent to be named soon in San Antonio.  
 
Mexico’s undercard is shaping up nicely, supporting what promises to be an explosive main event is a cast of hot talents led by Jorge Casteneda meeting Mexico City’s Eduardo Hernandez for the WBC Silver International Super-Lightweight title. Texan Casteneda (15-1 11 KOs) has upset the apple cart in his last two bouts, first handing a majority decision defeat to unbeaten Otha Jones III in Florida in April 2021, and then travelling to London, England to take another ‘0’ by beating Youssef Khoumari in October, again via majority decision.
 
Supporting what promises to be an explosive main event will be a cast of hot talents led by Jorge Casteneda. Texan Casteneda (15-1 11 KOs) has upset the apple cart in his last two bouts, first handing a majority decision defeat to unbeaten Otha Jones III in Florida in April 2021, and then travelling to London, England to take another ‘0’ by beating Youssef Khoumari in October, again via majority decision, and his opponent will be announced soon.
 
Diego Pacheco (14-0 11 KOs) continues to be a must-watch talent and the 21 year old ticks off another major milestone as he stretches his legs over the ten round distance for the first time, against an opponent to be named.
 
“June is looking red hot with two fantastic shows,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “Kyoguchi- Bermudez is a great fight. Hiroto is hunting down unifications at 108lbs, but he is going to have his hands full with Esteban, who has proved that he has devastating power – it’s going to be a great night in Mexico City.
 
“As for June 25 in San Antonio – what can we say? It’s a quadruple header of World title action, with four bouts that could headline any card. I’m thrilled to see Jesse get the chance to headline at home as a World champion, and what a foe to face in the Thai legend Rungvisai.
 
“Martinez-Arroyo is a long-running saga that both men want to end in emphatic style, MJ is one of the very best World champions out there and is looking to produce that statement win to lure his fellow champions into unifications – and after an amazing run of fights for women’s boxing in recent months, which continues this weekend in New York with Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano, the undisputed Welterweight ruler will want to show that she’s one of the very best out there.”

Juan Francisco had to wait over eight years, but he got even and won a 12-round split decision over Roman Gonzalez in another classic and win the WBA to add to his WBC Super Flyweight title at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

Like the first fight, the two never strayed more then a couple feet from each other and threw over a combined 2500 punches and landed over 700.

The judges favored the harder punches of Estrada to the the volume of Gonzalez.by scores of 117-111 and 115-113. Gonzalez took a card 115-113.

Estrada landed 314 of 1212 punches; Gonzalez 391 of 1317.

The fight warrants a trilogy and most likely there will be Estrada took cards

Estrada is now 42-3. Gonzalez is 50-3.

McCaskill Decisions Braekhus again; Retains Undisputed Welterweight Titles

Jessica McCaskill won her 2nd consecutive unanimous decision victory over Cecilia Braekhus to retain the undisputed welterweight titles.

In round seven, Braekhus was deducted a point for holding.

McCaskill landed 131 of 493 punches; Braekhus was 94 of 337.

McCaskill, 144.6 lbs of Chicago won by scores of 100-89, 99-90 and 98-91 and is now 10-2. Braekhus, 145 lbs or Bergen, NOR is 36-2.

Kyoguchi Retains Light-Fly Title after Vega Hurts Hand

Hiroto Kyoguchi retained the WBA Light Flyweight title with a 5th round stoppage over Axel Vega, when the challenger hurt his hand.

In the 5th round, Vega landed a shot to the head, then he turned around and jumped in obvious pain and the fight was stopped at 1:32

Kyoguchi, 107.8 lbs of Tokyo, JAP is 15-0 with 10 Knockouts. Vega, 107.2 lbs of Ensanada, MEX is 14-4-1.

Williams Decisions Douglin

Austin Williams remained undefeated by winning an eight-round unanimous decision over Denis Douglin in a middleweight contest.

Williams landed 154 of 407 punches; Douglin was 81 of 379.

Williams 162 lbs of Houston, TX won by scores of 79-73 twice and 77-75 and is now 8-0. Douglin, 161.6 lbs of Las Vegas is 22-8.

Ford and Perez Battle to a draw

Raymond Ford and Aaron Perez battled to an eight-round draw of undefeated featherweights.

In round five, Ford was cut around the right eye.

Ford, 126.8 lbs of Camden, NJ won a card 77-75; Perez won a card 78=74 and a third card was even at 76-76.

Ford landed 129 of 488 punches; Perez was 97 of 385.

Ford is 8-0-1. Perez, 127.2 lbs of Albuquerque, NM is 10-0-1.

In round five, Cissokho dropped Echevarria with a right hand. Cissokho scored another knockdown in round six.

Hiroto Kyoguchi says he wants to dominate the Light-Flyweight division as he defends his WBA and Ring Magazine World titles against Axel Vega on Saturday night at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, live worldwide on DAZN (except Latin America).

TICKETS FOR ESTRADA VS. CHOCOLATITO ARE ON SALE NOW FROM TICKETMASTER– TICKETS START AT $35 (PLUS FEES) 

Kyoguchi (14-0 9 KOs) makes his American debut in the Lone Star state in his first fight with Matchroom, and the Japanese tangles with Vega (14-3-1 8 KOs) with the desire to explode onto the worldwide scene.

The 27 year old plans to make a statement and then hunt down unification bouts with fellow champions Ken Shiro, Felix Alvarado and Elwin Soto, and is happy to be back in the ring after the COVID pandemic robbed him of the chance of fighting in 2020.

“As long as I can stay at 108 pounds, I want to show that I am the best in this division and to dominate it,” said Kyoguchi. “But eventually my goal is to move up the weights and win more belts.

“I became a World champion in Japan and after that, I always wanted to come to the US to fight. This is a very big moment for my career, and I want to make a big statement. The fans can expect a really entertaining fight with Vega.

“It’s an honor for me to fight for Matchroom as their first Japanese fighter. I am going to represent my country to show how great Japanese boxing is.

“The whole situation last year makes training very hard for me, it was hard to handle. This time, I have this big opportunity and I want to show a big performance for my fans. The Coronavirus has created a special situation for everyone, it’s hard to adjust to that but Matchroom have made it easy in the bubble, so thanks to them I can make weight well.

“I have seen some tape of Axel, he’s a very good fighter. I’m already a World champion so from now on I want to show everyone that I am one of the best fighters in the world, and that starts on Saturday against Vega.”

Kyoguchi’s clash with Vega is part of aa huge night of action in Dallas, with a mouth-watering triple-header of World title action at the top of the bill.

Juan Francisco Estrada (41-3 28 KOs) and Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez (50-2 41 KOs) meet in a mouthwatering rematch that’s over eight years in the making, with the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine World Super-Flyweight titles on the line and there’s another case of repeat or revenge as Jessica McCaskill (9-2 3 KOs) defends the undisputed World Welterweight title against Cecilia Brækhus (36-1 9 KOs).

Austin ‘Ammo’Williams (7-0 6 KOs) is looking to build on his own stellar 2020 performances where he won all three of his fights via stoppage in Miami, Mexico City and Dallas, and ‘Ammo’ will look to continue that streak in his first eight round bout against the experienced ‘Momma’s Boy’ Denis Douglin (22-7 14 KOs) who has shared the ring World champions George Groves, Anthony Dirrel, David Benavidez and Jermell Charlo.

Raymond Ford (8-0 4 KOs) has been in hot form, closing 2020 out with impressive stoppage wins in Florida and Texas and the 21 year old takes on unbeaten New Mexico talent Aaron ‘Angel Baby’ Perez (10-0 6 KOs) over eight rounds.

Souleymane Cissokho (11-0 7 KOs) is back in action for the first time since September 2019 and the unbeaten Frenchman tangles with Daniel Echeverria (21-10 18 KOs) over eight rounds.

Undefeated WBA Super and Ring Magazine Light-Flyweight World Champion Hiroto Kyoguchi has signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Eddie Hearn’s Matchroom Boxing. 

The Japanese star (14-0, 9 KOs), who is managed by Eddy Reynoso, won the IBF 105lbs World Title by outpointing Jose Argumendo in July 2017, before making two defences of the Title against Carlos Buitrago and Vince Paras.

27-year-old Kyoguchi was crowned a two-weight World Champion when he stopped Hekkie Budler in ten rounds in December 2018 to earn the WBA and Ring Magazine Light-Flyweight belts, and has since made two successful defences against Tanawat Nakoon and Tetsuya Hisada. 

“I am confident that I will give it my all and show honour in this sport as a proud Japanese World Champion,” said Kyoguchi. “I’m ready!”

“I’m delighted to welcome two division World Champion and Ring Magazine king Hiroto Kyoguchi to the Matchroom Boxing team,” said promoter Eddie Hearn. “As we continue our global expansion we welcome our first Japanese World Champion to Matchroom and look forward to our first show there in 2021. I look forward to a long and successful relationship with him and his manager Eddy Reynoso.”

“It is an honour to work with the best promoter in the world in Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing,” said Eddy Reynoso of No Boxing No Life management. “Thanks also to Hiroto Kyoguchi for having the confidence to let me represent him. We look forward to a big future together.”