Kohei Kono

Kohei Kono
Statistics
Nickname(s) Tough Boy
Weight(s)
Height 5 ft 5.5 in (1.66 m)
Reach 67 in (170 cm)
Nationality Japanese
Born (1980-11-23) 23 November 1980
Nakakoma District, Yamanashi, Japan
Stance Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights 46
Wins 33
Wins by KO 14
Losses 12
Draws 1

Kohei Kono (河野公平, Kōno Kōhei) (born November 23, 1980) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a two-time world champion, having held the WBA super-flyweight title twice between 2012 and 2016 with three successful defenses.

Professional career

Kono made his professional debut at the Korakuen Hall on November 2000, losing on points to Toshiaki Niita. He had little amateur experience before his professional debut. However, Kono was able to win 17 of his first 20 pro bouts, steadily climbing up the rankings. Kono's first title fight would be for the Japanese super flyweight title against Teppei Kikui on February 2007. Kono won the fight and the national title by unanimous decision (98-93, 97-93, 97-94).[1] He then won the OPBF super flyweight title against Eden Sonsona by split decision (118-110, 115-113, 113-115).[2]

On September 2008, Kono fought Nobuo Nashiro for the vacant WBA (Regular) super flyweight world title. Nashiro had previously held the WBA title. In a close, contested fight, he would reclaim the belt, beating Kono by split decision (115-114, 115-114, 114-115). After the fight, Kono said ""I was able to keep my own rhythm and I thought I won. I think I hit some good punches. I did my best, but I must accept the result."[3]

Kono once again fought for a vacant world title, facing Tomás Rojas for the WBC super flyweight title. This time Kono lost a wide unanimous decision (111-116, 111-116, 109-118), despite dropping Rojas in the final round.[4] Kono's career suffered more setbacks, dropping decisions to Yota Sato and Yohei Tobe following his loss to Rojas.

Kono captured the WBA super flyweight title in his third world title shot against Thailand's Tepparith Kokietgym via fourth round knockout.[5] at the Ota-City General Gymnasium in Tokyo on December 31, 2012. Kono dropped the Thai champion three times during round 4. The result was considered an upset.[6] Yota Sato, who held the WBC title expressed interest in rematching Kono in a unification bout.[7] Kono would lose his title in his first defense, dropping a majority decision (113-113, 112-114, 111-115) to Liborio Solís in a fight where both fighters traded knockdowns.[8]

After Solís lost his title due to being unable to make weight in his next fight, Kono faced Denkaosan Kaovichit for the vacant WBA title. Denkaosan went down in round 4, but was ahead on the scorecards before Kono knocked him out in round 8 with a cross.[9] Kono's first defense saw him fight to a split draw against Norberto Jiménez. He then fought Kōki Kameda at the UIC Pavilion in Chicago. In a scrappy brawl that saw both fighters lose points on the scorecards due to fouls, Kono retained his title, dropping Kameda in round 2 en route to winning a unanimous decision (115-109, 113-111, 116-108).[10] Kono would lose his title in a unification bout against the WBA's interim champion Luis Concepción. Concepción won the fight by unanimous decision (113-115, 112-116, 112-116).[11]

Kono challenged WBO super flyweight champion Naoya Inoue on December 2016. Inoue stopped Kono in a commanding performance. Kono was dropped once by a left hook from Inoue before being stopped in the sixth round. This was the first time Kono lost a fight due to stoppage.[12] On October 2017, Kono faced Rex Tso. Tso had sought to fight Kono while the latter was still a world champion, but was unable to draw him into the ring.[13] After six rounds, Tso was unable to continue due to swelling around his eye. Nevertheless, Tso remained unbeaten by winning a technical decision.[14]

Professional boxing record

Professional record summary
46 fights 33 wins 12 losses
By knockout 14 2
By decision 19 10
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
46 Loss 33–12–1 Australia Jason Moloney RTD 6 (12), 3:00 May 19, 2018 Australia Town Hall, Malvern, Australia For WBA Oceania bantamweight title
45 Loss 33–11–1 Hong Kong Rex Tso TD 7 (12) Oct 7, 2017 Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, SAR For WBO International super-flyweight title;
Unanimous TD after Tso sustained swelling from an accidental head clash
44 Win 33–10–1 Thailand Rambo Sithsaithong TKO 5 (8), 1:35 Jul 23, 2017 Japan Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
43 Loss 32–10–1 Japan Naoya Inoue TKO 6 (12), 1:01 Dec 30, 2016 Japan Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan For WBO super-flyweight title
42 Loss 32–9–1 Panama Luis Concepción UD 12 Aug 31, 2016 Japan Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Lost WBA super-flyweight title
41 Win 32–8–1 Thailand Tanawat Phonnaku UD 12 Apr 27, 2016 Japan Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA super-flyweight title
40 Win 31–8–1 Japan Kōki Kameda UD 12 Oct 16, 2015 United States UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Retained WBA super-flyweight title
39 Draw 30–8–1 Dominican Republic Norberto Jimenez SD 12 Dec 31, 2014 Japan Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA super-flyweight title
38 Win 30–8 Thailand Denkaosan Kaovichit KO 8 (12), 0:50 Mar 26, 2014 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant WBA super-flyweight title
37 Win 29–8 Thailand Dawut Manopkanchang TKO 3 (8), 0:50 Dec 31, 2013 Japan Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
36 Loss 28–8 Venezuela Liborio Solís MD 12 May 6, 2013 Japan Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Lost WBA super-flyweight title
35 Win 28–7 Thailand Tepparith Singwancha KO 4 (12), 2:08 Dec 31, 2012 Japan Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Won WBA super-flyweight title
34 Win 27–7 Thailand Petchbarngborn Kokietgym UD 8 Sep 10, 2012 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
33 Win 26–7 Japan Yusaku Ishikawa TKO 5 (8), 1:14 Mar 31, 2012 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
32 Loss 25–7 Japan Yohei Tobe UD 8 Oct 10, 2011 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
31 Loss 25–6 Japan Yota Sato UD 10 Apr 9, 2011 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan For Japanese super-flyweight title
30 Loss 25–5 Mexico Tomás Rojas UD 12 Sep 20, 2010 Japan Super Arena, Saitama, Japan For vacant WBC super-flyweight title
29 Win 25–4 Japan Masafumi Tonomura TKO 11 (12), 2:28 May 17, 2010 Japan Super Arena, Saitama, Japan Retained OPBF super-flyweight title
28 Win 24–4 Philippines Marvin Tampus UD 12 Oct 3, 2009 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained OPBF super-flyweight title
27 Win 23–4 Philippines Daniel Ferreras UD 12 May 2, 2009 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant OPBF super-flyweight title
26 Win 22–4 Indonesia Hendrik Barongsay TKO 6 (10), 2:28 Feb 7, 2009 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
25 Loss 21–4 Japan Nobuo Nashiro SD 12 Sep 15, 2008 Japan Pacifico, Yokohama, Japan For vacant WBA super-flyweight title
24 Win 21–3 Japan Kuniyuki Aizawa UD 12 Feb 16, 2008 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained OPBF and Japanese super-flyweight titles
23 Win 20–3 Philippines Eden Sonsona SD 12 Oct 6, 2007 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant OPBF super-flyweight title
22 Win 19–3 Japan Kenji Saegusa TD 9 (10), 1:05 Jun 2, 2007 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese super-flyweight title
21 Win 18–3 Japan Teppei Kikui UD 10 Feb 12, 2007 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won Japanese super-flyweight title
20 Win 17–3 Thailand Saichon Or Ounsuwon TKO 6 (8), 2:41 Sep 4, 2006 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19 Win 16–3 Japan Prosper Matsuura TKO 9 (10), 1:50 Feb 11, 2006 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
18 Win 15–3 Thailand Petchdam Sithsaithong KO 2 (10), 1:07 Oct 24, 2005 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
17 Loss 14–3 Japan Teppei Kikui UD 8 Jul 16, 2005 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
16 Win 14–2 Japan Kyohei Wada UD 8 Feb 1, 2005 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
15 Win 13–2 Japan Munetake Egawa SD 8 Aug 25, 2004 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
14 Win 12–2 Japan Kengo Wakao TKO 7 (10), 1:05 May 20, 2004 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13 Win 11–2 Japan Asahi Takano UD 8 Feb 5, 2004 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12 Win 10–2 Japan Teppei Kikui SD 8 Nov 4, 2003 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11 Win 9–2 Japan Makoto Horinouchi TKO 2 (6), 2:54 Jun 26, 2003 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10 Loss 8–2 Japan Daigo Nakahiro UD 6 Dec 22, 2002 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9 Win 8–1 Japan Kenji Saegusa UD 6 Nov 9, 2002 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
8 Win 7–1 Japan Yuichiro Komuro UD 6 Sep 26, 2002 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7 Win 6–1 Japan Yuki Kishi UD 6 Aug 2, 2002 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6 Win 5–1 Japan Kosuke Takamizawa TKO 4 (4), 1:54 May 31, 2002 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5 Win 4–1 Japan Ryoji Arai KO 1 (4), 2:07 Jan 28, 2002 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4 Win 3–1 Japan Yosuke Ishiwatari UD 4 Sep 26, 2001 Japan Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Japan
3 Win 2–1 Japan Takaaki Hayashi UD 4 Jun 19, 2001 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2 Win 1–1 Japan Kazuya Hirata UD 4 Apr 18, 2001 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1 Loss 0–1 Japan Toshiaki Nitta MD 4 Nov 22, 2000 Japan Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan

See also

References

  1. http://www.asianboxing.info/world-title-previews/kohei-kono-and-luis-concepcion-set-to-deliver-action
  2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7x6YDjgsiwk
  3. https://www.insideasiatours.com/insidevietnam/vietnam-news/27/nashiro-regains-wba-super-flyweight-title/
  4. http://www.boxingscene.com/tomas-rojas-decisions-kohei-kono-wins-wbc-title--31112
  5. Joe Koizumi (December 31, 2012). "Kono upsets Tepparith to win WBA 115lb belt". Fightnews.com. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  6. http://www.boxingtalk.com/pag/article.php?aid=24299
  7. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/01/16/more-sports/sato-seeks-superflyweight-unification-bout/
  8. https://www.si.com/mma/2013/05/06/liborio-solis-kohei-kono-boxing-fight
  9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ckj5NHLJ06Q
  10. http://www.premierboxingchampions.com/news/kohei-kono-retains-115-pound-title-winning-epic-brawl-against-countryman-koki-kameda
  11. http://www.boxingscene.com/luis-concepcion-unseats-kohei-kono-taguchi-beats-miyazaki--108267
  12. "Naoya Inoue Halts Kohei Kono In Six, Sets Sights On Roman Gonzalez - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com.
  13. http://www.boxingscene.com/kohei-kono-rex-tso-showdown-works-march--100470
  14. http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/2114367/live-blog-rex-tso-v-kohei-kono
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Teppei Kikui
Japanese super-flyweight champion
February 12, 2007 July 2008
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Daigo Nakahiro
Vacant
Title last held by
Kuniyuki Aizawa
OPBF super-flyweight champion
October 6, 2007 July 2008
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Konosuke Tomiyama
Vacant
Title last held by
Konosuke Tomiyama
OPBF super-flyweight champion
May 2, 2009 July 2010
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Takuya Kogawa
World boxing titles
Preceded by
Tepparith Singwancha
WBA super-flyweight champion
December 31, 2012 May 6, 2013
Succeeded by
Liborio Solís
Vacant
Title last held by
Liborio Solís
WBA super-flyweight champion
March 26, 2014 August 31, 2016
Succeeded by
Luis Concepción
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.