Kenshiro Teraji (23-1, 14 KOs) hopes to secure an opportunity against either Sivenathi Nontshinga (13-1, 10 KOs) or Jonathan Gonzalez (28-3-1, 14 KOs) in a unification before the end of 2024 and moving to flyweight to challenge for further honors. 

The unified WBA and WBC world champion is on a five-fight winning streak following his 10th-round defeat to Masamichi Yabuki in September 2021, before he overturned the sole blemish on his record with a third-round knockout victory the following year. 

The Japanese star has since successfully defended his title against Hiroto Kyoguchi, Anthony Olascuaga and Hekkie Budler and, in January, successfully defended his unified titles against Carlos Canizales over 12 rounds. 

The primary talking point following Teraji’s victory over Canizales was the injury sustained to his right hand, which required surgery. 

The unified champion admitted that the injury had taken its toll but that, once fully fit, a new version will appear for the better once healed.

“I feel as if I were a beginner,” Teraji commented to Japan Boxing News. “But I think I can show the new [stronger] Taraji in my next fight.”

Teraji’s return had been penciled in for June, but due to the unified champion’s injury, it will likely be pushed back. 

Despite sitting on the sidelines, Teraji is targeting a unification encounter against either Nonthsinga or Gonzalez, who are locked into talks for a unification fight, as BoxingScene previously reported.

Teraji has been a career light flyweight and says it would be fitting for him to end his 108lbs title reign against the victor of a proposed encounter between Nonthsinga and Gonzalez in an undisputed title fight before progressing up to the flyweight division. 

“It couldn’t be better if I could have the title unification fight with the winner of this fight,” Teraji said. “If not, I hope to m