Kenshiro Teraji emphatically regained his WBC junior flyweight title with a third-round stoppage over Masamichi Yabuki at the City Gym in Kyoto, Japan, on Saturday.

From the opening bell, Teraji dominated his rival behind a sharp jab and right hand. Yabuki looked devoid of ideas.

The end came when Teraji (19-1, 11 knockouts) landed a big right hand that dropped Yabuki (13-4, 12 KOs). The contest was immediately waved off by Michiaki Someya at 1:11 of the round.

Teraji, 30, lost his WBC title to Yabuki last September, but had been suffering from COVID-19 during his preparation. The bout was only pushed back 12 days and the infection clearly hampered his performance.

However, this time, with a clean bill of health, he was too much for Yabuki and reaffirmed himself as one of the best junior flyweights in the world.

Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at [email protected] and you can follow him on Twitter @AnsonWainwright

SUBSCRIBE NOW (CLICK HERE - JUST $1.99 PER MONTH) TO READ THE LATEST ISSUE