ESPN’s Salvador Rodriguez studies that newly topped WBA gentle flyweight champion Erick Rosa and reigning IBF titlist Masamichi Yabuki are in talks to sq. off within the “first third of 2025.”
Rosa (8-0, 2 KO) spent practically two years attempting and failing, by way of no fault of his personal, to get within the ring with Knockout CP Freshmart earlier than giving up and setting sail for 108 on the heels of a tune-up win. Kenshiro Teraji’s transfer to 112 opened the door for “Mini Pac-Man” to battle for the vacant title towards Neider Valdez, whom Rosa outgunned for the belt final month in his native Dominican Republic.
Yabuki (17-4, 16 KO), eight years Rosa’s elder, bounced again from his knockout loss to Teraji of their rematch by stopping three consecutive foes. This earned him a crack at Sivenathi Nontshinga, whom he likewise beat down in October.
I’d tab Yabuki as the person to beat at 108, however Rosa is an outstanding younger expertise and deserves a ton of reward if he goes by way of with this. We’ll let in the event that they get it over the road.
As for the remainder of the division, Shokichi Iwata has but to schedule his first protection of the WBO belt since claiming it with a three-round drubbing of Jairo Noriega, whereas WBC titlist Panya Pradabsri will hopefully must rematch Carlos Canizales after completely robbing him on Boxing Day.
