Masamichi Yabuki has reached a point in his wildly entertaining career where he is only interested in the biggest fights possible. 

With that mindset came the easy decision to remain at flyweight and abandon his second junior flyweight title reign after just six months.

“There will not be a return [to junior flyweight],” Yabuki told BoxingScene.

Yabuki’s decision came shortly after his 12th round knockout of unbeaten Angel Ayala to win the IBF flyweight title on March 29 in Tokoname, Japan. He entered the fight as the reigning IBF junior flyweight titlist and knew that a win would prompt an immediate decision. 

An ordered title defense was up next, no matter his choice. 

Yabuki would've likely had to next face the Philippines’ Christian Araneta, 25-2 (20 KOs). The 32-year-old, three-time titlist inherited the mandatory from his ninth-round knockout of two-time IBF 108lbs titleholder Sive Nontshinga last October 12 in Tokoname.

Yabuki’s win came as part of a massive overhaul at junior flyweight. Kenshiro Teraji and Jonathan “Bomba” Gonzalez both abandoned their respective title reigns, which left the WBA, WBC and WBO titles all vacant.

“There are no rivals left for me anymore,” Yabuki (pictured right, with Teraji) said of the easy decision to leave behind his IBF junior flyweight title.

Teraji’s lone career defeat came to Yabuki via tenth-round knockout in their September 2021 thriller. Yabuki claimed the WBC junior flyweight title that night, but his reign ended just six months later when Teraji gained emphatic revenge in March 2022 via third-round knockout.

Yabuki has since won five in a row—all via knockout and with title wins in each of his past two fights. 

Interestingly, a Teraji-Yabuki rubber match is now more significant than ever. In addition to a two-belt unification (Teraji holds the WBC 112lbs title), such a fight would crown a new lineal champion at flyweight. 

It is precisely the type of big opportunity that would pique Yabuki’s interest, though it would have to come down the road. 

Next up will be a mandatory IBF flyweight title defense against former junior flyweight titlist Felix Alvarado, 42-4 (35 KOs) of Managua, Nicaragua. The soon-to-be-ordered bout was a condition for the IBF having permitted Yabuki to jump the line and face Ayala, 18-1 (9 KOs) last month. 

“[Alvarado] is very tough, aggressive and strong,” acknowledged Yabuki. “I’m injured but as soon as I am healed, I will take the necessary measures and train hard.” 

Jake Donovan is an award-winning journalist who served as a senior writer for BoxingScene from 2007-2024, and news editor for the final nine years of his first tour. He was also the lead writer for The Ring before his decision to return home. Follow Jake on X and Instagram.