BoxRec

Masuda-Tsutsumi II headlines world title tripleheader on Nov. 29

Riku Masuda and Seiya Tsutsumi will meet in a rematch to contest the WBA 'regular' bantamweight world title on November 29.

The two Japanese fighters will headline a Teiken Promotions event at the Kokugikan, Tokyo.

The WBA championship status is far from ideal. Currently, Jesse "Bam" Rodriguez holds the WBA 'super' title, while Masuda is the regular champion. Tsutsumi was 'champion in recess', though is now listed as No. 1 contender.

Their rematch will go part of the way to clearing up the situation at 118 pounds. Tsutsumi, The Ring's No. 1 rated bantamweight, won his first five fights before two draws with then-unbeaten Kazuki Nakajima and Daigo Higa.

Tsutsumi (13-0-3, 8 KOs) went on to win Japanese honors and make four defenses, notably outpointing Masuda over 10 rounds in August 2023. The 30-year-old then upset Takuma Inoue over 12 rounds to win the WBA crown.

In his first defense, he was held to a 12-round draw in a Higa rematch before edging home a 12-round split decision despite a spirited Nonito Donaire display on December 17. Injury has sidelined him since then.

Masuda (11-1, 9 KOs), The Ring's No. 4-rated bantamweight, has moved quickly since debuting in 2022. He fell narrowly short against Tsutsumi 13 months after his first professional outing.

The 29-year-old southpaw puncher kicked on and picked up national honors before stepping onto the world stage with an eighth-round stoppage of Donaire on March 15. He outpointed Higa for the vacant WBA strap on July 20.

In the evening's chief support bout, Kenshiro Teraji (26-2, 16 KOs) makes the first defense of his WBO junior bantamweight title against Jassiel Amador (15-0-1, 13 KOs). Amador is the WBO's No. 10-rated contender.

Teraji, who sits third in The Ring's 115-pound rankings, won the WBC 108-pound title with a 12-round majority decision against Ganigan Lopez (MD 12).

A whopping eight defenses followed before a two-fight series with Masamichi Yabuki, where he would avenge his first stoppage defeat in March 2022. Teraji claimed The Ring and WBA belts with victory over previously-unbeaten Hiroto Kyoguchi (TKO 7) while further wins followed against Anthony Olascuaga (TKO9) and Hekkie Budler (TKO9).

He moved up to 112 pounds and stopped Cristofer Rosales for the vacant WBC title before adding the WBA strap with a 12th-round stoppage of Seigo Yuri Akui. He lost his titles last July via 12-round split decision to Ricardo Sandoval, a result prompting him to jump up in weight again where he outpointed Israel Gonzalez on March 20.

Amador turned professional in 2022 and has fought exclusively in Mexico.

The big-punching La Paz native has largely fought mediocre opposition. The 25-year-old has boxed twice this year, pitching decision wins over Pedro Delgado (UD10) in March and Jhovany Martinez (UD10) on July 18.

In a third world title fight David Jimenez (18-1, 12 KOs) will make his first appearance after being elevated to full WBA junior bantamweight champion. He faces a stern test against former WBA flyweight titlist Seigo Yuri Akui (23-3-1, 13 KOs), the sanctioning body's No. 2-rated contender.

Jimenez, No. 2 on The Ring's 115-pound rankings, turned professional in 2019. The 34-year-old lost a narrow 12-round decision against WBA flyweight titleholder Artem Dalakian in January 2023.

He returned strongly up a weight class at 115 pounds, besting John Ramirez over the distance to win WBA interim honors before a trip to Kyrgyzstan saw him stop Kenbun Torres in 11 rounds last July. Many fights have fallen by the wayside, though Bam Rodriguez's move up in weight saw Jimenez become full world champion for the first time.

Akui meanwhile was unbeaten through his first 12 fights before losing his unbeaten status against future three-weight titleholder Junto Nakatani (TKO6). He bounced back impressively, stopping future multi-weight world champion Yabuki in April 2018.

The 31-year-old claimed the Japanese flyweight title, went on to beat Dalakian for WBA honors and made two defenses before a 12th-round stoppage loss by Teraji. Since that setback, he's moved up in weight and won twice.

Press Release

'U-NEXT BOXING 7' will be held at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday, November 29!

On Sunday, November 29th, the announcement press conference for 'U-NEXT BOXING 7' hosted by Teiken Promotion was held on the 14th at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. Following July 20, the seventh 'U-NEXT BOXING 7' will feature a triple world match, with exclusive live streaming planned on 'U-NEXT'. At the press conference held at a hotel in Tokyo, the four participating athletes took the stage and each shared their enthusiasm.

Advance tickets will be on sale soon, so we kindly ask for your patience.


< Athlete Interview>
Masuda: "Since becoming world champion on July 20, I've truly had more responsibilities to carry. Starting with my hometown Hiroshima and tracing my roots, I have come to appreciate the value of this belt. And I am consciously aware of the place I am aiming for going forward and working on my practice. (I feel very excited and excited when this match is decided.) I want to win and prove what it means to be a true champion. (Regarding the impression of the opponent) He is a very tough player, a player who plays tough matches. Today, when I stood in front of them for the first time in a while, I feel like I was a bit worn out. (On the pressure of my first title defense) Of course, there is pressure, but I intend to turn it all into strength, so I don't feel pressured at all. As for countermeasures, I've been building up myself, along with the Yamato trainer and the entire staff at Teiken Gym, so I've really come up with a variety of plans. In that context, I've clearly identified my winning streak, so I want to refine that and sharpen it until the matches. (Regarding the future) First, I will clear this match. On November 29, it will prove that the true champion is Riku Masuda. Thank you in advance."


Tsutsumi: "When this match was decided, I had fought Masuda three years ago in my third defense of the Japanese title, and this time, since I was fighting in my third defense of my world title, I felt there was a connection to the number 3. (Regarding my current condition) Due to my injury in the last match, I had to take a long break, which caused me various troubles and complicated situations, so I'm currently preparing thoroughly, so on November 29, I'll keep working hard to show a full Seiya Tsutsumi. (About the other person's impression) Anyway, my impression is that she's strong-willed, strong-willed, and emotionally strong. I think that's the kind of player he is. And I get the impression that I've started to discipline my own reason and emotions in boxing. (About countermeasures) I don't have to say anything about countermeasures, but the parts I did well last time might not work well, and conversely, I have to improve the parts I did wrong last time. I have to compare with last time's issues and proceed without worrying at all. That's how it's really difficult to prepare. (To the fans) Thank you for waiting so long. Seiya Tsutsumi will be returning on November 29. Thank you in advance."


Terachi: "(I achieved a three-division championship in my previous fight) but it was about a year after I won it, and I was truly happy that the belt was finally back to me. After the match, it hasn't changed much, especially. (Regarding my current condition) I've been sparring more often, I'm feeling really good, and I think my finish is getting better. (Regarding the impression of the other person) He is tall and gives the impression of coming forward. I want to firmly jabs there and prevent them from getting too far forward. (Yuri Akui, who has once crossed fists, also steps into the same ring. Is there anything you should be conscious of?) ) I also want to do unification battles, so I'm conscious of that aspect. (To the fans) For now, winning this match is the best thing, but after that, I'd be happy if you look forward to it as a unification bout."


Yuri Akui: "First of all, I'm honestly happy to be back on this stage. It was my first world title match in almost two years, and there were times when I felt a bit down, but even so, it was my family who steadily managed to get through it, and thanks to Chairman Moriyasu's support, I was able to come back this far. I absolutely want to achieve a two-division championship. (How have you been feeling since moving up in a weight class?) His performance has improved, and there's no doubt he's gotten stronger, but he just wants to show that in world matches. The other person's impression is that their words are a bit harsh, but they seem clever. He can use his legs, puts his head in, and comes at him aggressively, making him a very difficult player, but I think it all depends on how much he can stick to himself and fight for it. (It was a title match on the same stage as Terachi, wasn't it?) ) I don't think we can see the future unless we win this match, but after the first match, we both felt a bit burned out, just for a moment, so it's like let's do our best together (laughs). (To the fans) As I said earlier, I believe it's all thanks to you that I've come back this far, so I will definitely achieve a two-division championship."


'U-NEXT BOXING 7'
Date: Sunday, November 29 Venue
: Ryogoku Kokugikan
Opening Time TBD


< Main Matchup>
WBA World Bantamweight Title Match / Champion Riku Masuda (12 fights, 11 wins, 9 KOs, 1 loss) vs. 1 in the same division, former champion Seiya Tsutsumi (Kakuebi Houseki/16 fights, 13 wins, 8 KOs, 3 draws)


WBO World Super Flyweight Title Match / Champion: Kenshiro Teraji (BMB/28 fights: 26 wins, 16 KOs, 2 losses) vs. 10th in the WBO division, Jasiel Amador (Mexico/16 fights: 15 wins, 13 KOs, 1 draw)


WBA World Super Flyweight Title Match / Champion David Jimenez (Costa Rica/19 fights, 18 wins, 12 KOs, 1 loss) vs. WBA No. 2, Yuri Seigo Akui (Kurashiki Moriyasu/27 fights, 23 wins, 13 KOs, 3 losses, 1 draw)

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