Unified flyweight champion Kenshiro Teraji faces Anthony Olascuaga this weekend in Tokyo, Japan, as an underdog, but his promoter Tuto Zabala Jr believes otherwise.
The American has just five fights and three knockouts to his name, though he is so far unbeaten. He stepped in as a late replacement after WBO champion Jonathan Gonzalez dropped out with a bout of pneumonia.
The fight will be shown live on DAZN in Spain, as Kiko Martinez appears on the card to fight Reiya Abe in an IBF featherweight title eliminator.
Speaking to BoxingScene.com, Zabala Jr made his prediction.
“Teiken Promotions (which promotes Teraji) had two fighters to replace Gonzalez,” Zabala said.
“Anthony and Gerardo Zapata. They (Teiken) decided on Anthony, who is already ranked, and was already in Japan training for a fight on April 15.
“Anthony is a great fighter, has fought against fighters with a lot more experience than him, and, as an amateur, has trained and sparred against Junto Nakatani, Roman ‘Chocolatito’ Gonzalez and Kosei Tanaka, amongst others.
“His trainer, Rudy Hernandez, always had a lot of faith in him and has wanted him to be moved quickly towards a world title shot, and now, the opportunity is here. I’m proud to have worked with him and Teiken on his five fights as a pro. It will be an interesting fight and I’m sure he will be a new world champion.”
At 24, Olsascuaga has scant professional experience but beat former world title challenger Saul Juarez in August 2021, and has been ranked by the WBA since he defeated Gilberto Pedroza.