Kohei Kono


Kohei Kono 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.

Kono vs. Sonsona

He then won the OPBF super flyweight title against Eden Sonsona by split decision.

Kono vs. Nashiro

In September 2008, Kono fought Nobuo Nashiro for the vacant WBA 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. 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."

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, despite dropping Rojas in the final round. 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. 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. Yota Sato, who held the WBC title expressed interest in rematching Kono in a unification bout.

Kono vs. Solis

Kono would lose his title in his first defense, dropping a majority decision to Liborio Solís in a fight where both fighters traded knockdowns.

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.

Kono vs. Jimenez

Kono's first defense saw him fight to a split draw against Norbelto Jimenez.

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.

Kono vs. Concepcion

Kono would lose his title in a unification bout against the WBA's interim champion Luis Concepción. Kono lost the fight by controversial decision.

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.

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

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 retirement.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
46LossJason Moloney6, 3:00May 19, 2018Town Hall, Malvern, AustraliaFor WBA Oceania bantamweight title
45Loss33–11–1Rex TsoTD7 Oct 7, 2017Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, S.A.R.For WBO International super-flyweight title
44Win33–10–1Rambo SithsaithongTKO5, 1:35Jul 23, 2017Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
43Loss32–10–1Naoya InoueKO6, 1:01Dec 30, 2016Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, JapanFor WBO super-flyweight title
42Loss32–9–1Luis ConcepciónUD12Aug 31, 2016Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanLost WBA super-flyweight title
41Win32–8–1Tanawat PhonnakuUD12Apr 27, 2016Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA super-flyweight title
40Win31–8–1Kōki KamedaUD12Oct 16, 2015UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.Retained WBA super-flyweight title
39Draw30–8–1Norbelto Jimenez12Dec 31, 2014Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA super-flyweight title
38Win30–8Denkaosan KaovichitKO8, 0:50Mar 26, 2014Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon vacant WBA super-flyweight title
37Win29–8Dawut ManopkanchangTKO3, 0:50Dec 31, 2013Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
36Loss28–8Liborio SolísMD12May 6, 2013Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanLost WBA super-flyweight title
35Win28–7Tepparith SingwanchaKO4, 2:08Dec 31, 2012Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanWon WBA super-flyweight title
34Win27–7Petchbarngborn KokietgymUD8Sep 10, 2012Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
33Win26–7Yusaku IshikawaTKO5, 1:14Mar 31, 2012Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
32Loss25–7Yohei TobeUD8Oct 10, 2011Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
31Loss25–6Yota SatoUD10Apr 9, 2011Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanFor Japanese super-flyweight title
30Loss25–5Tomás RojasUD12Sep 20, 2010Super Arena, Saitama, JapanFor vacant WBC super-flyweight title
29Win25–4Masafumi TonomuraTKO11, 2:28May 17, 2010Super Arena, Saitama, JapanRetained OPBF super-flyweight title
28Win24–4Marvin TampusUD12Oct 3, 2009Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF super-flyweight title
27Win23–4Daniel FerrerasUD12May 2, 2009Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon vacant OPBF super-flyweight title
26Win22–4Hendrik BarongsayTKO6, 2:28Feb 7, 2009Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
25Loss21–4Nobuo NashiroSD12Sep 15, 2008Pacifico, Yokohama, JapanFor vacant WBA super-flyweight title
24Win21–3Kuniyuki AizawaUD12Feb 16, 2008Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF and Japanese super-flyweight titles
23Win20–3Eden SonsonaSD12Oct 6, 2007Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon vacant OPBF super-flyweight title
22Win19–3Kenji Saegusa9, 1:05Jun 2, 2007Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained Japanese super-flyweight title
21Win18–3Teppei KikuiUD10Feb 12, 2007Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon Japanese super-flyweight title
20Win17–3Saichon Or OunsuwonTKO6, 2:41Sep 4, 2006Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19Win16–3Prosper MatsuuraTKO9, 1:50Feb 11, 2006Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
18Win15–3Petchdam SithsaithongKO2, 1:07Oct 24, 2005Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
17Loss14–3Teppei KikuiUD8Jul 16, 2005Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
16Win14–2Kyohei WadaUD8Feb 1, 2005Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
15Win13–2Munetake EgawaSD8Aug 25, 2004Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
14Win12–2Kengo WakaoTKO7, 1:05May 20, 2004Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13Win11–2Asahi TakanoUD8Feb 5, 2004Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12Win10–2Teppei Kikui8Nov 4, 2003Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11Win9–2Makoto HorinouchiTKO2, 2:54Jun 26, 2003Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10Loss8–2Daigo NakahiroUD6Dec 22, 2002Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9Win8–1Kenji SaegusaUD6Nov 9, 2002Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
8Win7–1Yuichiro KomuroUD6Sep 26, 2002Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7Win6–1Yuki KishiUD6Aug 2, 2002Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6Win5–1Kosuke Takamizawa4, 1:54May 31, 2002Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5Win4–1Ryoji Arai1, 2:07Jan 28, 2002Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4Win3–1Yosuke IshiwatariUD4Sep 26, 2001Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Japan
3Win2–1Takaaki HayashiUD4Jun 19, 2001Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2Win1–1Kazuya Hirata4Apr 18, 2001Japan
1Loss0–1Toshiaki Nitta4Nov 22, 2000Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan