Kelson Pinto


Kelson Carlos Santos Pinto is a Brazilian former professional boxer and world title challenger. As an amateur, he won a silver medal at the 1999 Pan American Games and represented Brazil at the 2000 Summer Olympics.

Amateur career

Pinto represented his native country in the light welterweight division at the 2000 Summer Olympics. He was eliminated in the second round by Uzbekistan's eventual gold medalist Mahammatkodir Abdoollayev.

Olympic results

Pinto turned professional in 2000 and won various regional titles in the Americas. He remained undefeated until fighting Miguel Cotto for the WBO junior welterweight title in 2004, in which Cotto defeated him by KO in 2004. In 2005, Pinto lost a technical decision to former IBF junior welterweight champion Vince Phillips after an accidental headbutt which cut Phillips.

Coaching career

Pinto has continued coaching boxing in Brazil and has coached multiple UFC fighters, most notably, former UFC Middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
26Win24–2Adriano De SouzaTKO1 Aug 4, 2006Ginásio de Esportes Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
25Loss23–2Vince Phillips5 Oct 13, 2005Ontario Convention Center, Ontario, California, U.S.For the WBC Continental Americas welterweight title; Majority TD after Phillips was cut from an accidental head clash.
24Win23–1Cleber LeiteKO1 Aug 5, 2005Ginásio de Esportes Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
23Win22–1Jose Marcos do Espirito SantoKO1 May 31, 2005Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
22Loss21–1Miguel CottoTKO6, 3:00Sept 11, 2004José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum, Hato Rey, Puerto RicoFor the WBO light welterweight title
21Win21–0Jose Otavio da SilvaTKO1 Feb 27, 2004Lauro de Freitas, Brazil
20Win20–0Nelson Felipe dos SantosKO1 Oct 3, 2003Lauro de Freitas, Brazil
19Win19–0Emanuel AugustusUD10June 17, 2003Sundance Square, Fort Worth, Texas, U.S.Augustus took the fight on short notice.
18Win18–0Richard SavageTKO2, 2:27Feb 13, 2003Don Haskins Center, El Paso, Texas, U.S.For the vacant NABO light welterweight title.
17Win17–0Victor Luis FerreiraTKO1 Dec 19, 2002Ginásio de Esportes Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia, BrazilFor the WBO Latino light welterweight title.
16Win16–0Arturo ReyesTKO2 Nov 2, 2002MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
15Win15–0Nelson Felipe dos SantosKO2 Aug 29, 2002AABB Arena, Recife, Brazil
14Win14–0Roger Benito FloresTKO2 July 25, 2002Ginásio de Esportes Antônio Balbino, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
13Win13–0Dagoberto Najera2 June 29, 2002Arrowhead Pond, Anaheim, California, U.S.
12Win12–0Jose Otavio da SilvaTKO2 June 9, 2002Nilson Nelson Gymnasium, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
11Win11–0Luiz FerreiraTKO1 May 1, 2002Ginasio Constantino Constancio Viera, Aracaju, BrazilFor the WBO Latino light welterweight title and the Brazilian light welterweight title.
10Win10–0Mauro LuceroKO2 Mar 30, 2002Pomona, California, U.S.
9Win9–0Gustavo TapiaKO2 Mar 16, 2002Bally's Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
8Win8–0Ulisses PereiraKO1 Nov 16, 2001Recife, Brazil
7Win7–0Dwayne PopeKO1, 2:14Sept 8, 2001Lawlor Events Center, Reno, Nevada, U.S.
6Win6–0Jose Carlos CostaKO1 July 31, 2001Lauro de Freitas, BrazilFor the CBB welterweight title.
5Win5–0Anivaldo BispoKO1 Apr 29, 2001Salvador, Bahia, Brazil
4Win4–0Cirilo Coronel CamposKO1 Mar 31, 2001Lauro de Freitas, Brazil
3Win3–0Balbino dos SantosKO1 Feb 20, 2001--
2Win2–0Jose Inacio de Sa1 Jan 27, 2001Nilson Nelson Gymnasium, Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil-
1Win1–0Francisco Antonio Martinez1 Dec 15, 2000Centro de Espectaculos Modelo, Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, MexicoProfessional boxing debut.