Celes Kobayashi


Celes Kobayashi is a former professional boxer from Ibaraki, Japan. He is a former WBA Super flyweight champion. He got his ring name, "Celes", from a company he used to work for. He lives in Chiba, Japan, with his wife and daughter.

Biography

Kobayashi made his debut in April 1992 in the bantamweight division, losing by 4th-round decision. He dropped down two weight classes to challenge the Japanese flyweight title in 1997, but sustained an injury in the 3rd round, and was unable to capture the title. He challenged the title again in April 1998, losing by 10-round decision, but finally won the title in September of the same year, winning the decision. He defended the title four times from 1998 to 2000.
In August 2000, Kobayashi made his first attempt at the world title against Malcolm Tunacao for the WBC Flyweight title. The fight was a draw, and the champion, Tunacao, retained the title. Kobayashi made his second try for the world title in March 2001, challenging Leo Gamez for the WBA Super flyweight title. He won by TKO in the 10th round, having dominated Gamez for the entire fight.
Kobayashi made his first defense in September 2001, winning by split decision. He fought Alexander Muñoz in March 2002, for his second defense, and lost by TKO in the 8th round to lose his title.
After his loss to Munoz, Kobayashi declined an offer to challenge Masamori Tokuyama for the WBC Super flyweight title, and retired from boxing in July 2002.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
32Loss24–5–3Alexander MuñozTKO8 2002-03-09Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanLost WBA super flyweight title
31Win24–4–3Jesús RojasSD12 2001-09-01Arena, Yokohama, JapanRetained WBA super flyweight title
30Win23–4–3Leo GámezTKO10 2001-03-11Arena, Yokohama, JapanWon WBA super flyweight title
29Draw22–4–3Malcolm TuñacaoSD12 2000-08-20Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanFor WBC flyweight title
28Win22–4–2Hayato AsaiTKO7 2000-04-02Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained Japanese flyweight title
27Win21–4–2Katsuhiro AkitaPTS10 1999-11-07Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanRetained Japanese flyweight title
26Win20–4–2Shin TeraoTKO9 1999-07-03JapanRetained Japanese flyweight title
25Win19–4–2Hideyasu IshiharaTKO7 1999-03-06Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained Japanese flyweight title
24Win18–4–2Nolito CabatoMD10 1998-09-30JapanWon Japanese flyweight title
23Win17–4–2Hiroshi KobayashiPTS10 1998-07-04Japan
22Loss16–4–2Nolito CabatoSD10 1998-04-04Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanFor Japanese flyweight title
21Win16–3–2Jojo TorresKO2 1997-11-11Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
20Draw15–3–2Nolito CabatoTD3 1997-09-13Matsumoto, JapanFor Japanese flyweight title
19Win15–3–1Jun LansaderasKO6 1997-05-16Japan
18Win14–3–1Marlon TeradoKO1 1997-03-10Japan
17Loss13–3–1Kazuhiro RyukoPTS8 1996-11-22Japan
16Win13–2–1Eiji ShigeyasuPTS6 1996-07-31Japan
15Win12–2–1Christopher SaguidTKO9 1996-05-03Japan
14Win11–2–1Makoto SotoPTS8 1996-02-03Japan
13Win10–2–1Seiji IwaisakoTKO6 1995-10-20Japan
12Win9–2–1Makoto IriePTS5 1995-08-05Japan
11Win8–2–1Ryo KurushimaPTS5 1995-06-03Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10Draw7–2–1Akira TaigaPTS6 1994-12-17Japan
9Win7–2Motonari KashimaPTS4 1994-11-11Japan
8Win6–2Takeshi MiyamotoKO3 1994-10-11Japan
7Win5–2Shiro AraiKO1 1994-09-02Japan
6Win4–2Toshihiro MatsuokaKO2 1994-03-05Japan
5Loss3–2Yoshimasa KiyotaPTS4 1993-09-16Japan
4Win3–1Takiji KiyokawaKO1 1993-07-15Japan
3Win2–1Hiroyuki IdaPTS4 1993-04-03Japan
2Win1–1Takiji KiyokawaKO1 1992-12-01Japan
1Loss0–1Isao MoriPTS4 1992-04-17Japan

Post retirement

Kobayashi worked briefly as a trainer for his former gym before creating the "Celes Kobayashi Boxing Gym" in Chiba, Japan. He frequently appears as a commentator in Japan for boxing title matches.