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Asian Boxing reports WBC light flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji has tested positive for COVID, postponing his September 10th title defense against top contender Masamichi Yabuki “indefinitely.”
BMB boxing gym announced the positive test at a press conference, confirming that Teraji (18-0, 10 KO) had suffered “high fevers” and likely caught the virus from his trainer. Both ticket status and a new date “will be addressed shortly.”
The 29-year-old Teraji has fought just once since 2019, an April decision over tough veteran Tetsuya Hisada. The pair were supposed to meet during Japan’s customary end-of-year boxing bonanza, only for Teraji to serve a suspension after driving drunk. Yabuki (12-3, 11 KO), BoxRec’s #5 at the weight, was last seen claiming his first-ever decision win over Toshimasa Ouchi last Boxing Day.
Their fight figured to be extremely entertaining, so let’s hope Teraji can heal up and return to full strength before too long.