Avila Perspective, Chap. 338: Commemorating Ricardo Sandoval’s Big Upset in Japan

Ricardo “El Nino” Sandoval returned from Japan a conquering hero after trading blows for 12 rounds with the talented Kenshiro Teraji for the WBA and WBC flyweight titles.

Fighting in another country is never easy.

Last week on July 30, Rialto, California’s Sandoval (27-2, 18 KOs) traveled overseas to meet two-division world champ Teraji (25-2, 16 KOs) at Yokohama Buntai in Yokohama and emerged the winner by majority decision.

The product of the Inland Empire traveled across the Pacific Ocean with his team knowing fully well of the obstacles he faced in Japan.

Over the past three decades the Japanese and Mexican cultures have dominated the flyweight division. For some reason those two warrior cultures eventually meet in the boxing ring in the light flyweight, flyweight and super flyweight divisions.

Teraji, who formerly held the light flyweight title, had moved up in weight and held the WBA and WBC titles. Since 2017, the Kyoto native was world champion of one of those divisions and had not lost in four years. He had avenged his only defeat with a knockout win over Masamichi Yabuki in March 2022.

The Japanese stalwart was considered one of the top fighters pound-for-pound in the world and was seeking a third straight knockout win when he entered the boxing ring against Sandoval.

It wasn’t going to happen.

Despite suffering a knockdown in the fifth round from a crisp one-two on the chin, Sandoval was able to navigate the rest of the fight by using pinpoint jabs and counters.

“It was a flash knockdown, but I wasn’t hurt. I just took my time getting up. He got me with a clean punch. I was conscious of everything that was happening,” said Sandoval, adding that he was not going to abandon the game plan. “I had to push harder and win the rounds with more clarity. I’ve learned that if you do 12 rounds, it’s 12 different fights. Keep pushing.”

Little by little Sandoval won the majority of the remaining rounds with accurate counters on the inside and outside. The fighter from the Inland Empire region kept his guard tight and never enabled Teraji to use his power and volume punching to overwhelm him.

After the fight, Teraji credited Sandoval’s defense as key.

It was a masterful performance from Sandoval, 26, who hails from Rialto, Calif. which is located near dozens of boxing gyms that have many talented fighters in his weight class such as world champions Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez and Joshua Franco. In the Los Angeles area is current WBO flyweight champion Anthony Olascuaga. He has sparred with all of them.

Sandoval credits his sparring as a major reason he was well prepared for the challenge of meeting Teraji. He also had three-months of notice to prepare for the unified world champion.

As he stood waiting to hear the announcer reading the scores, he was confident he had done enough. But was it enough in Japan?

“I was waiting and when he said new champion it was an amazing feeling,” said Sandoval.

The celebration after the fight was in the late hours.

“It was really late so we ordered pizza and ate late,” said Sandoval about the team’s celebration. “Next day I took a 10-hour tour of Yokohama.”

Word spread rapidly in the USA about Sandoval’s victory.

Eric Gomez, president of Golden Boy Promotions who signed Sandoval several years ago, said it was a remarkable moment.

“Look he had to go to the champion’s back yard and he did it. We’re excited and extremely proud of him. To get knocked down and outpoint him was really something,” said Gomez. “You got to really beat a champion especially in a different country. It really is difficult. The odds were against him.”

Gomez said there was a set deal with several options with Teiken Promotions. One included possibly fighting the WBO flyweight titlist Alexander Olascuaga of L.A. But they are awaiting to hear from Akihiko Honda, the head of Teiken Promotions.

Meanwhile, Sandoval is still celebrating and still waiting to hear who he fights next. Could it be the fellow Californian, a rematch with Teraji or some other champion?

“I believe unifying is the best thing to do. If I could become the first undisputed flyweight champions that would be amazing,” said Sandoval the new unified WBC and WBA flyweight world titlist.

R.I.P. Nick Martinez and Ricky Duenez

Former fighters Nick Martinez and Ricky Duenas passed away within weeks of each other recently.

Ben Lira, one of the top trainers in Southern California, informed TheSweetscience.com that Martinez and Duenas had both recently died within weeks of each other. Both fighters were trained by Lira in South El Monte Boxing Gym.

Martinez, 50, boxed professionally from 1996 to 2001 in the super welterweight division, and was found unresponsive after falling from a freeway bridge on Sunday July 13. He was also known as “El Toro.” Services were held for him in Bassett.

Duenas, 42, boxed professionally from 2008 to 2013 in the welterweight division and died from an apparent heart attack at age 42 on June 15. Services were held in Covina, Calif.

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