Keita Kurihara


Keita Kurihara is a Japanese professional boxer who held the OPBF bantamweight title four times.
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Professional career

Early career

Kurihara debuted on 6 April 2011 in the flyweight division against Yoshiyuki Shimizu at the famous Korakuen Hall, Kurihara stopped his opponent with four seconds left in the first round, after the successful debut, Kurihara headed to a rocky path achieving a record of 3–4 before having his redemption with a six winning streak.
After earning himself a streak he faced Hiroaki Teshigawara on 19 June 2017 in Tokyo, Japan to mark Kurihara's sixth bantamweight bout, where Kurihara's winning streak was broken with a fifth round TKO. On 1 December 2017, Kurihara had an impressive comeback fight against undefeated Filipino Ryan Lumacad with a second-round knockout statement.

Kurihara vs. Kobayashi

After composing a record 12–5, Kurihara faced compatriot regional contender Yuki Strong Kobayashi on 24 December 2018 in Sumiyoshi Ward Center, Osaka, Japan for the vacant OPBF bantamweight championship, Kurihara prevailed with a tight 113–111 unanimous decision victory.

Kurihara vs. Parrenas

On 10 May 2019, Cadiz City-native one-time world title challenger Warlito Parrenas challenged Kurihara on his first defence of the OPBF belt, Kurihara earned himself an impressive first-round knockout, lasting only 35 seconds.

Kurihara vs. Inoue

After 425 days of inactivity, certainly due to the Corona virus pandemic, On 14 January 2021, Kurihara was set to make his second defence of the OPBF title against world-title challenger Takuma Inoue in Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan, Kurihara conceived his first loss in nearly four years after Inoue dominated him with a ninth-round unanimous technical decision after Kurihara sustained a cut from clashing of heads.

Kurihara vs. Nakajima

On 19 October 2021, Kurihara earned a chance to recapture the OPBF belt against the new reigning champion Kazuki Nakajima, Kurihara stopped the previously unbeaten Nakajima in three rounds.

Kurihara vs. Oguni

On March 2022, it was announced that Kurihara was set to face former IBF super bantamweight champion Yukinori Oguni in a non-titled ten rounds bout on 20 May 2022, in the fourth round of their match, the referee halted the bout due to a severe cut on Oguni's right eyebrow caused by an accidental headbutt, due to a rule in boxing, despite Oguni leading 30–27 twice and 29–28 in the scorecards, the bout was declared a draw.

Kurihara vs. Chiba I

On 22 September 2022 in Korakuen Hall, Kurihara defended his OPBF title against compatriot Kai Chiba, Kurihara conceded his seventh career loss after he was stopped in the 0:50 mark of the very last round.

Kurihara vs. Chiba II

On 4 March 2023 in the same venue, Kurihara aimed for revenge in wants to reclaim the OPBF title against Kai Chiba, Kurihara succeeded in reacquiring the OPBF gold after he stopped Chiba within two rounds.

Kurihara vs. Saludar I

On 12 October 2023 at Ariake Arena in Tokyo, Kurihara faced former world-title challenger Froilan Saludar who moved down weight for their match in Kurihara's first defence of the reacquired OPBF bantamweight strap, despite Kurihara being expected to be the winner, Saludar shocked Kurihara in his home turf as Saludar knocked Kurihara twice before stopping him in the one minute mark of the first round.

Kurihara vs. Saludar II

On 26 January 2024, after three months since their first match, Kurihara and Saludar fought in a rematch to serve as the co-main card of the "Kumbati 16" event, whilst the OPBF, vacant IBF Pan Pacific and IBF Asia bantamweight crowns were on the line, this also marked as Kurihara's first bout outside of Japan, to fight in Cebu City, Philippines, Kurihara avenged his loss and reclaimed the OPBF title whilst also winning the vacant IBF Pan Pacific and Asia bantamweight crowns after Kurihara gave Saludar a hard-fought battle and a knockdown in the fourth round en route to an eight-round knockout victory.

Kurihara vs. Portes

On 22 July 2024, Kurihara fought against Filipino journeyman Renan Portes in a hard-fought eight-rounder bout whereas Kurihara won via a controversial split decision, Kurihara later disregarded his victory and felt regretful, Kurihara later apologized to his Filipino opponent and stated to the crowd: "I didn't win this fight" and "I was declared the winner, but I believe I lost."

Kurihara vs. Llover

On 24 March 2025, Kurihara fought the reigning OPBF interim champion, hard-hitting Filipino prospect Kenneth Llover in Korakuen Hall for Kurihara's OPBF absolute title, Kurihara suffered a stunning first-round stoppage loss after the referee put the bout to halt due to barrage of punches that hurt Kurihara.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
30Win20–9–1Shunpei KaneshiroKO5, 3:0017 Sep 2025Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
29Loss19–9–1Kenneth LloverTKO1, 2:3324 Mar 2025Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanLost OPBF bantamweight title
28Win19–8–1Renan PortesSD822 Jul 2024Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
27Win18–8–1Froilan SaludarKO8, 1:1326 Jan 2024Nustar Resort and Casino, Cebu City, PhilippinesWon OPBF, vacant IBF Pan Pacific and IBF Asia bantamweight titles
26Loss17–8–1Froilan SaludarTKO1, 1:0012 Oct 2023Ariake Arena, Tokyo, JapanLost OPBF bantamweight title
25Win17–7–1Kai ChibaTKO2, 2:074 Mar 2023Korakuen Hall Tokyo, JapanWon OPBF bantamweight title
24Loss16–7–1Kai ChibaTKO12, 0:5022 Sep 2022Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanLost OPBF bantamweight title
23DrawYukinori OguniTD4, 2:4020 May 2022Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanFight stopped due to Oguni sustaining a cut from an accidental headbutt
22Win16–6Kazuki NakajimaTKO3, 0:5219 Oct 2021Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon OPBF bantamweight title
21Loss15–6Takuma InoueTD9, 2:2514 Jan 2021Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanLost OPBF bantamweight title;
Unanimous TD: Fight stopped after Kurihara sustained a cut due to accidental clash of heads
20Win15–5Sukkasem KietyongyuthTKO2, 1:5815 Nov 2019Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19Win14–5Warlito ParrenasKO1, 0:3510 May 2019Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF bantamweight title
18Win13–5Yuki Strong KobayashiUD1224 Dec 2018Sumiyoshi Ward Center, Osaka, JapanWon vacant OPBF bantamweight title
17Win12–5Kazuki TanakaTKO3, 2:351 Aug 2018City Sogo Gym, Hirakata, Japan
16Win11–5Tetsuya WatanabeTKO1, 1:2111 May 2018Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
15Win10–5Ryan LumacadKO2, 3:091 Dec 2017Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
14Loss9–5Hiroaki TeshigawaraTKO5, 2:0619 Jun 2017Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13Win9–4Engelbert MoraldeTKO1, 2:5910 Mar 2017Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12Win8–4Sonin NiheiTKO3, 1:4612 Dec 2016Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11Win7–4Jun KosekiTKO5, 1:1313 Sep 2016Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10Win6–4Yuito YamaguchiTKO4, 0:4413 Jun 2016Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9Win5–4Hirofumi TachibanaTKO4, 0:383 Mar 2015Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
8Win4–4Satoru MorishitaUD417 Nov 2014Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7Loss3–4Hiroyasu ShigaTKO1, 0:527 Jul 2014Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6Loss3–3Shoji EbisawaUD47 Mar 2014Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5Win3–2Takuma OkadaKO3, 2:0521 Nov 2012Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4Loss2–2Takahiro FujiiTKO4, 2:5013 Jul 2012Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
3Loss2–1Koya SatoUD430 Jan 2012Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2Win2–0Yohei SuzukiTKO4, 1:3631 Oct 2011Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1Win1–0Yoshiyuki ShimizuTKO1, 2:566 Apr 2011Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan