Masuda, Teraji, Iwata win in Tokyo tripleheader

Published: Monday, July 20, 2026 at 4:31 pm

Tokyo Tripleheader Sees Masuda Retain, Teraji Claim Vacant Title, and Iwata Defend

A night of boxing in Tokyo delivered significant outcomes for three Japanese fighters, with Riku Masuda successfully defending his secondary WBA bantamweight title, Kenshiro Teraji capturing the vacant WBO super flyweight championship, and Shokichi Iwata retaining his WBC light flyweight belt.

Masuda faced a stern challenge from Daigo Higa, ultimately securing a split decision victory. This win marks a successful defense of the secondary title Masuda claimed earlier this year by defeating Nonito Donaire. Higa, who had previously announced his retirement following a series of title-shot defeats, proved a resilient opponent, pushing Masuda to the limit in a contest that reportedly saw differing opinions among the judges. The victory potentially positions Masuda for a future bout against Jesse Rodriguez, the holder of the primary WBA bantamweight championship, though the timing of such a matchup remains subject to the sanctioning body's decisions.

In another significant development, Kenshiro Teraji achieved a milestone by becoming a three-weight world champion. Teraji secured the vacant WBO super flyweight title with a unanimous decision win over Israel Gonzalez. This marks Teraji's return to the ring after a previous upset loss. The victory extends Teraji's remarkable streak of consecutive world title appearances to eighteen, a run that began with his 2017 acquisition of the WBC light flyweight title. Reports suggest this latest triumph solidifies Teraji's standing as one of the premier fighters in the lower weight classes of his era.

The third notable performance came from Shokichi Iwata, who made the first defense of his WBC light flyweight title. Iwata overcame an early setback, including a knockdown in the fourth round, to stop Erik Badillo in the eleventh round. After being caught by a strong left hand, Iwata rallied to finish the fight with a decisive flurry of right hands. This stoppage continues Iwata's impressive record of finishes, with eight knockouts in his last nine fights since reclaiming the belt in March.

Masuda's record now stands at 11 wins with nine knockouts, Teraji's professional ledger moves to 26 wins and 2 losses, and Iwata improves his record to 17 wins and 2 losses.

BNN's Perspective:
This Tokyo tripleheader showcased a mix of established champions and rising contenders, highlighting the depth of talent in the lower weight divisions. Masuda's hard-fought victory demonstrates his resilience, while Teraji's achievement of becoming a three-weight champion is a testament to his sustained excellence. Iwata's successful title defense, particularly his ability to recover from adversity, underscores his championship mettle. The outcomes provide intriguing possibilities for future matchups and continue to shape the landscape of these weight classes.

Tags: Riku Masuda, Daigo Higa, Kenshiro Teraji, Israel Gonzalez, Shokichi Iwata, Erik Badillo, WBA bantamweight title, WBO super flyweight title, WBC light flyweight title, split decision, unanimous decision, knockout, three-weight world champion, title defense

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