Kenshiro Teraji vs Hekkie Budler fight preview, predictions and betting odds

Kenshiro “Amazing Boy” Teraji vs Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler

Awesome WBC and WBA light flyweight champion Kenshiro “Amazing Boy” Teraji (21-1, 13KO) of Japan, defends his belts against Hekkie “Hexecutioner” Budler (35-4, 11KO) from South Africa on Monday, September 18th at the Ariake Arena in Tokyo.

Hekkie compliments and holds Kenshiro as the finest fighter in the division.

Defending champion Teraji won the green and gold WBC title off Ganigan Lopez in May 2018 and swept through eight successful defenses until, still suffering from the lingering effects of Covid 19, he was TKO’d by compatriot Mashamichi Yabuki in September 2021. He put things right with a two fisted KO of Yabuki in round three, during a direct rematch the following March.

He then, in November, stopped Hiroto Kyoguchi to add on the black and gold WBA belt with a seventh round TKO and then successfully defended both belts with a ninth round TKO of late replacement Anthony Olascuaga in April. He was supposed to be taking on WBO champion Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez, who was ill and had to withdraw.

Budler has won world titles in two divisions and as such has the full, undivided attention and respect of Kenshiro. Hekkie’s debut as a pro was way back in 2007, while Kenshiro is more of a newcomer. His first paid fight was six years later.

Hekkie became WBA straw weight champion with a one punch KO of Karluis Diaz during round one, in March 2014. Four successful defenses followed, until he lost the title to Byron Rojas two years later by UD. Two years on he defeated Ryoichi Taguchi to win the WBA and IBF light flyweight titles. He vacated the IBF belt and in his first defense of the WBA belt, he was TKO’d in ten rounds by Hiroto Kyoguchi. Since then Hekkie has won three in a row including a victory over former WBO champion Elwin Soto. He’s earned his spot as WBC number one contender.

Hekkie is under no illusions that he’s up against it and he says it greatly motivates him. He says he enjoys being the underdog and he wants to prove people wrong. On Sunday, he arrived at Narita International Airport, after eighteen hours of flights, but Japan isn’t new to him. He enthused: “This is a great opportunity and I have faith. I leave it to God, but I’m also ready!

“I feel that with my style I can defeat him and I like being on the big stage. To be WBC champion would be absolutely amazing.”

Kenshiro who’s always looked youthful and willowy stands five feet five inches tall, with a reach of sixty four inches. While seasoned Hekkie is two inches shorter but he has a reach of sixty five and a half inches.

Hekkie’s nickname is Hexecutioner but he usually doesn’t possess the same chilling power of the champ. Yet he’s wily, hard to pin down and has plenty of experience at the top level. Realistically, it could be his last chance for World honors, so it presents itself in terms of now or never.

Aged 31, Kenshiro is four years younger and he mightily formidable. Smiling and affable outside the ring, he’s a ruthless operator inside the ropes. He moves in with speed, precision and jarring accuracy but then he’s out and gone. Hekkie, via strategy, must try to nullify this onslaught and incoming firepower, countering and springing initiatives to be able to win. For this, he needs all the guile, vim plus the residual pride of a two time champion. Realistic and practical, he himself says it’s going to be the hardest fight of his career.

Kenshiro is disappointed he wasn’t able to add the WBO title to his WBC and WBA belts. His ambition is all four, but here and now Hekkie constitutes a challenge which carries risk as well as reward.

Hekkie has travelled far for this in the Autumn of his career. It’s unlikely the championship bout will go all the way. Someone is likely to fall.

Both would do well to consider the opinion of Miyamoto Musashi 1584-1645. Japanese swordsman, philosopher writer and Ronin. He said: “Think lightly of yourself and deeply of the World.”

How to Watch

Date: September 18th, 2023

Venue: Ariake Arena Tokyo, Japan

Time: 10am GMT (Japan are nine hours ahead)

TV Channel: ESPN+ / Amazon Prime Japan

Tale of the Tape

KENSHIRO TERAJI
WBC CHAMPION

Nationality: Japan
DOB: January 6, 1992
Birthplace: Joyo, Kyoto, Japan
Residence: Uji, Kyoto, Japan
Age: 31
Record: 21-1-0, 13KO
KO Ratio: 61.9 %
Alias: The Amazing Boy
Guard: Orthodox
Total rounds: 153
World Titles fights: 13 (12-1-0)
Manager: Masato Yamashita
Promoter: Shinsei Promotions

HEKKIE BUDLER
WBC No.1

Nationality: South Africa
Date of Birth: May 18, 1988
Birthplace: Johannesburg, S. Africa
Residence: Johannesburg, S. Africa
Age: 35
Record: 35-4-0, 11KO
KO Ratio: 31.43 %
Alias: The Hexecutioner
Guard: Orthodox
Total rounds: 322
World Titles fights: 6 (5-1-0)
Manager: Rodney Berman
Promoter: Golden Gloves Promotions

1. HUMBERTO GONZALEZ (MEXICO)
2. HILARIO ZAPATA (PANAMA)
3. MICHAEL CARBAJAL (US)
4. LUIS ESTABA (VENEZUELA)
5. JUNGKOO CHANG (KOREA)
6. SAMAN SORJATURONG (THAILAND)
7. JORGE ARCE (MEXICO)
8. EDGAR SOSA (MEXICO)
9. YOSAM CHOI (KOREA)
10. TADASHI TOMORI (JAPAN)