Kohei Kono
Born (1980-11-23) 23 November 1980 (age 43)
Nakakoma District, Yamanashi, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Other namesTough Boy
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 5.5 in (1.66 m)
Reach67 in (170 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights46
Wins33
Wins by KO14
Losses12
Draws1

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 vs. Niita

Kono made his professional debut at the Korakuen Hall in 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 vs. Kikui

Kono's first title fight would be for the Japanese super flyweight title against Teppei Kikui in February 2007. Kono won the fight and the national title by unanimous decision (98-93, 97-93, 97-94).[1]

Kono vs. Sonsona

He then won the OPBF super flyweight title against Eden Sonsona by split decision (118-110, 115-113, 113-115).[2]

Kono vs. Nashiro

In 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 vs. Rojas

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 vs. Kokietgym

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 vs. Solis

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]

Kono vs. Kaovichit

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 vs. Jimenez

Kono's first defense saw him fight to a split draw against Norberto Jiménez.[10]

Kono vs. Kameda

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).[11]

Kono vs. Concepcion

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).[12]

Kono vs. Inoue

Kono challenged WBO super flyweight champion Naoya Inoue in 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.[13]

Kono vs. Tso

In 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.[14] After six rounds, Tso was unable to continue due to swelling around his eye. Nevertheless, Tso remained unbeaten by winning a technical decision.[15]

Kono vs. Moloney

In his next bout, Kono faced Jason Moloney, ranked 4# by the WBA, #5 by the WBO, #11 by the IBF and #13 by the WBC at bantamweight. Moloney managed to win the fight via a sixth round TKO.[16]

Professional boxing record

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 Jason Moloney RTD 6 (12), 3:00 May 19, 2018 Town Hall, Malvern, Australia For WBA Oceania bantamweight title
45 Loss 33–11–1 Rex Tso TD 7 (12) Oct 7, 2017 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 Rambo Sithsaithong TKO 5 (8), 1:35 Jul 23, 2017 Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
43 Loss 32–10–1 Naoya Inoue TKO 6 (12), 1:01 Dec 30, 2016 Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan For WBO super-flyweight title
42 Loss 32–9–1 Luis Concepción UD 12 Aug 31, 2016 Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Lost WBA super-flyweight title
41 Win 32–8–1 Tanawat Phonnaku UD 12 Apr 27, 2016 Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA super-flyweight title
40 Win 31–8–1 Kōki Kameda UD 12 Oct 16, 2015 UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. Retained WBA super-flyweight title
39 Draw 30–8–1 Norbelto Jimenez SD 12 Dec 31, 2014 Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA super-flyweight title
38 Win 30–8 Denkaosan Kaovichit KO 8 (12), 0:50 Mar 26, 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant WBA super-flyweight title
37 Win 29–8 Dawut Manopkanchang TKO 3 (8), 0:50 Dec 31, 2013 Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
36 Loss 28–8 Liborio Solís MD 12 May 6, 2013 Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Lost WBA super-flyweight title
35 Win 28–7 Tepparith Singwancha KO 4 (12), 2:08 Dec 31, 2012 Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan Won WBA super-flyweight title
34 Win 27–7 Petchbarngborn Kokietgym UD 8 Sep 10, 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
33 Win 26–7 Yusaku Ishikawa TKO 5 (8), 1:14 Mar 31, 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
32 Loss 25–7 Yohei Tobe UD 8 Oct 10, 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
31 Loss 25–6 Yota Sato UD 10 Apr 9, 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan For Japanese super-flyweight title
30 Loss 25–5 Tomás Rojas UD 12 Sep 20, 2010 Super Arena, Saitama, Japan For vacant WBC super-flyweight title
29 Win 25–4 Masafumi Tonomura TKO 11 (12), 2:28 May 17, 2010 Super Arena, Saitama, Japan Retained OPBF super-flyweight title
28 Win 24–4 Marvin Tampus UD 12 Oct 3, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained OPBF super-flyweight title
27 Win 23–4 Daniel Ferreras UD 12 May 2, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant OPBF super-flyweight title
26 Win 22–4 Hendrik Barongsay TKO 6 (10), 2:28 Feb 7, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
25 Loss 21–4 Nobuo Nashiro SD 12 Sep 15, 2008 Pacifico, Yokohama, Japan For vacant WBA super-flyweight title
24 Win 21–3 Kuniyuki Aizawa UD 12 Feb 16, 2008 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained OPBF and Japanese super-flyweight titles
23 Win 20–3 Eden Sonsona SD 12 Oct 6, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant OPBF super-flyweight title
22 Win 19–3 Kenji Saegusa TD 9 (10), 1:05 Jun 2, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese super-flyweight title
21 Win 18–3 Teppei Kikui UD 10 Feb 12, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won Japanese super-flyweight title
20 Win 17–3 Saichon Or Ounsuwon TKO 6 (8), 2:41 Sep 4, 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19 Win 16–3 Prosper Matsuura TKO 9 (10), 1:50 Feb 11, 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
18 Win 15–3 Petchdam Sithsaithong KO 2 (10), 1:07 Oct 24, 2005 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
17 Loss 14–3 Teppei Kikui UD 8 Jul 16, 2005 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
16 Win 14–2 Kyohei Wada UD 8 Feb 1, 2005 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
15 Win 13–2 Munetake Egawa SD 8 Aug 25, 2004 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
14 Win 12–2 Kengo Wakao TKO 7 (10), 1:05 May 20, 2004 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13 Win 11–2 Asahi Takano UD 8 Feb 5, 2004 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12 Win 10–2 Teppei Kikui SD 8 Nov 4, 2003 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11 Win 9–2 Makoto Horinouchi TKO 2 (6), 2:54 Jun 26, 2003 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10 Loss 8–2 Daigo Nakahiro UD 6 Dec 22, 2002 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9 Win 8–1 Kenji Saegusa UD 6 Nov 9, 2002 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
8 Win 7–1 Yuichiro Komuro UD 6 Sep 26, 2002 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7 Win 6–1 Yuki Kishi UD 6 Aug 2, 2002 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6 Win 5–1 Kosuke Takamizawa TKO 4 (4), 1:54 May 31, 2002 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5 Win 4–1 Ryoji Arai KO 1 (4), 2:07 Jan 28, 2002 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4 Win 3–1 Yosuke Ishiwatari UD 4 Sep 26, 2001 Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Japan
3 Win 2–1 Takaaki Hayashi UD 4 Jun 19, 2001 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2 Win 1–1 Kazuya Hirata UD 4 Apr 18, 2001 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1 Loss 0–1 Toshiaki Nitta MD 4 Nov 22, 2000 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan

See also

References

  1. ^ "Kohei Kono and Luis Concepcion - set to deliver action!".
  2. ^ "- YouTube". YouTube.
  3. ^ "Nashiro regains WBA super flyweight title | Inside Vietnam Tours". 2017-10-07. Archived from the original on 2017-10-07. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  4. ^ "Tomas Rojas Decisions Kohei Kono, Wins WBC Title". 20 September 2010.
  5. ^ Joe Koizumi (December 31, 2012). "Kono upsets Tepparith to win WBA 115lb belt". Fightnews.com. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
  6. ^ "BOXINGTALK : KOHEI KONO PULLS UPSET TO CLAIM WBA 115-POUND TITLE". 2017-10-07. Archived from the original on 2017-10-07. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  7. ^ "Sato seeks superflyweight unification bout". 16 January 2013.
  8. ^ "Liborio Solis beats Kohei Kono for WBA super flyweight title". 6 May 2013.
  9. ^ "Denkaosan Kaovichit vs Kohei Kono". YouTube.
  10. ^ "Kohei Kono vs. Norberto Jimenez - BoxRec". boxrec.com. Retrieved 2022-02-25.
  11. ^ "Kohei Kono retains 115-pound title by winning epic brawl against countryman Koki Kameda". 16 October 2015.
  12. ^ "Luis Concepcion Unseats Kohei Kono, Taguchi Beats Miyazaki". 31 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Naoya Inoue Halts Kohei Kono In Six, Sets Sights On Roman Gonzalez - Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 30 December 2016.
  14. ^ "Kohei Kono-Rex Tso Showdown in the Works for March". 18 January 2016.
  15. ^ "As it happened: Hong Kong's Rex Tso retains title against Kono". 7 October 2017.
  16. ^ "Moloney vs Kono - News, Tape, Ringwalk, TV, Streaming & Tickets". Box.Live. Retrieved 2022-02-25.

External links

Sporting positions Regional boxing titles Preceded byTeppei Kikui Japanese super-flyweight champion February 12, 2007 – July 2008Vacated VacantTitle next held byDaigo Nakahiro VacantTitle last held byKuniyuki Aizawa OPBF super-flyweight champion October 6, 2007 – July 2008Vacated VacantTitle next held byKonosuke Tomiyama VacantTitle last held byKonosuke Tomiyama OPBF super-flyweight champion May 2, 2009 – July 2010Vacated VacantTitle next held byTakuya Kogawa World boxing titles Preceded byTepparith Singwancha WBA super-flyweight champion December 31, 2012 – May 6, 2013 Succeeded byLiborio Solís VacantTitle last held byLiborio Solís WBA super-flyweight champion March 26, 2014 – August 31, 2016 Succeeded byLuis Concepción
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