Kenshiro Teraji’s departure from the WBC’s rankings at 112lbs means the highly controversial Francisco Rodriguez Jnr has been elevated.
Teraji, 25-2 (16 KOs), had been the WBA and WBC titleholder until he suffered a stunning split decision loss to Ricardo Sandoval in July. Teraji subsequently entered the WBC’s flyweight rankings at No. 1.
But now, in the sanctioning body’s latest ratings update (released October 20), he’s out. That’s because Teraji is expected to challenge IBF junior bantamweight titleholder Willibaldo Garcia on December 27.
Meanwhile, Rodriguez, 40-6-1 (27 KOs), had held the interim WBC flyweight belt – until he tested positive for a banned performance-enhancing drug following his dominant June win over Galal Yafai. Although that result has not officially been overturned by an athletic commission, the WBC stripped Rodriguez but ruled the drug use was unintentional. (Rodriguez also tested positive following a December 2024 victory over Josue Morales; that bout is now listed as a “no decision”).
Rodriguez, who had re-entered the WBC’s rankings at No. 2, has now moved up to No. 1 due to Teraji’s departure.
The rest of the newest flyweight rankings: Angelino Cordova is at No. 2, followed by Seigo Yuri Akui, Joselito Velazquez, Yankiel Rivera, Angel Ayala, Thananchai Charunphak, Felix Alvarado, Sergio Mendoza Cordova, Taku Kuwahara, Yoali Mejia Mosqueda, Tobias Reyes, Jukiya Iimura, Hasanboy Dusmatov and Cristian Gonzalez Hernandez.
David Greisman, who has covered boxing since 2004, is on Twitter @FightingWords2. David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” is available on Amazon.
