Masamichi Yabuki: The Rise of a Japanese Boxing Star
Masamichi Yabuki established himself as a Japanese world champion at light flyweight before moving up to win a flyweight title. His major victories include stoppages of Kenshiro Teraji, Sivenathi Nontshinga and Ángel Ayala, giving his career a championship history across two weight divisions.
Winning and regaining world-champion status
Yabuki won the WBC light-flyweight title by stopping Teraji in the tenth round on September 22, 2021. The WBC’s contemporary report highlighted his use of reach and a long jab in the early rounds. Teraji reversed the outcome in their March 19, 2022 rematch, reclaiming the championship with a third-round stoppage.
Yabuki returned to world-title success on October 12, 2024, when he defeated Nontshinga in Tokoname, Japan. He scored three knockdowns before a ninth-round stoppage secured the IBF light-flyweight belt, according to Fightnews’ ringside account.
A move to flyweight
In March 2025, Yabuki stopped IBF flyweight champion Ayala in the twelfth round to become a two-division titleholder. He defended that belt against Felix Alvarado on December 27, 2025, again producing a twelfth-round finish at Aichi Sky Expo.
His next defense went the distance. Yabuki outpointed Rene Calixto on June 6, 2026, a result covered by The Ring. The sequence shows both his established finishing ability and his capacity to complete a twelve-round championship contest. His title record spans setbacks, a return to championship level and success after moving to a heavier division.
Sources
Additional sources: WBC title history; The Ring report on the Ayala win; IBF champions list.
Sources: wbcboxing.com; ringmagazine.com
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
