Fight results

Stylistically, this is a fantastic matchup—two aggressive fighters, both capable of adapting in the ring.

Kenshiro Teraji prefers to press forward and throw punches in volume—he averages over 700 punches per fight. Still, he’s versatile. When an opponent insists on taking the lead and applying pressure, Kenshiro can adjust, step back, and counter with a heavy shot. That said, the Japanese champion typically wants to plant his feet and trade.

Ricardo Sandoval, on the other hand, brings steady, relentless pressure. He’s not a wild volume puncher, but he prefers to work as the front-foot aggressor. Sandoval moves forward, builds his offense behind the jab, and puts together combinations once he’s in mid-range.

At 33 years old, Teraji is a two-weight world champion with just one loss on his record. He’s one of Japan’s most experienced and accomplished fighters.

Sandoval, at 26, is a step behind in that regard. The former WBC Youth International champion has faced quality opposition, including David Jimenez, but lacks the high-level experience of his opponent—and he lost that bout to Jimenez.

The differences in output are clear. Sandoval throws a solid 400+ punches per fight, which is excellent by most standards—but Teraji averages nearly 700, creating a clear disparity.

And Teraji is more accurate, landing 24% of his punches, compared to 22% for Sandoval.

Experience also matters. Teraji routinely goes 12 rounds—his last three bouts went 12, 11, and 12 rounds, respectively. Sandoval, by contrast, has gone the full 12 only once—and he lost that fight. His three most recent outings lasted 10, 10, and 8 rounds.

That shows in the numbers: Teraji throws around 70 punches in the 10th round, while Sandoval averages only 35—a sign of stamina and fight-long consistency.

Both men have fought once in 2025.

Sandoval scored a decision win over the smaller Saleto Henderson, with no major complications.

Teraji had a much tougher outing. Against Seigo Yuri Akui, Kenshiro struggled early. Akui applied pressure, kept a fast pace, and nearly pulled off the upset. But Teraji found a way—again. He stopped Akui in the 12th round, despite trailing on two of the three scorecards at the time.

Statistically, Sandoval holds a slight edge: 69% KO ratio compared to 64% for Teraji. He’s precise, presses well, and has a slight size advantage.

But don’t discount Teraji’s power. He’s more accurate, more experienced, and tactically smarter. His counter punches are dangerous, especially late in fights, and his ability to find a path to victory—even when things go wrong—is part of what makes him so dangerous.

Teraji has been dropped before—not frequently, but it’s happened. He’s not chinny, but he’s not invulnerable either. The challenge is finding a clean moment to land between his flurries of punches.

Sandoval, meanwhile, hasn’t been tested the way Teraji will test him. So far, his chin looks solid, but the real trial is still ahead.

Sandoval will be fighting in Japan for the first time. He’s used to traveling—he’s boxed 14 times in Mexico, winning 13, and once in the UK, which he also won. But he’s never fought in Japan.

Teraji, on the other hand, will be fighting in Yokohama for the fourth time—he’s scored stoppage wins in all three previous outings there.

Teraji doesn’t take breaks. His last fight—against Akui—was just four months ago and a grueling war. Despite being pushed to the brink, he pulled off a dramatic late KO. Now he’s back again, defending his belt.

There’s nothing left for Kenshiro to prove—only titles to defend and unify. He’s 33, which can still be young for the weight class—but with the number of hard fights he’s had, age could creep in. Still, he remains elite.

For Sandoval, this is the opportunity of a lifetime. Beating a Japanese star in Japan would be a career-defining win. But he’ll need to force Teraji into his kind of fight—slow the pace, cut the ring off, and time his counters. That’s the path to victory.

But the mental pressure is massive. When you're young, unfamiliar with 12-round championship distance, and standing across from a world-class veteran, it’s not just your skills that get tested—it’s your belief.

Sandoval will have to fight both Teraji and his own doubts. If he manages that, the upset could be in reach.