Takahiro Ao


Takahiro Ao is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2003 to 2018. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the World Boxing Council featherweight title in 2009 and the WBC super-featherweight title from 2010 to 2012.

Professional career

Ao turned professional in September 2003 at the Korakuen Hall, Tokyo. In his debut Ao defeated fellow Japanese boxer Hiroshi Kashihara with a second round knockout.
Ao is managed by the Teiken Boxing Gym in Tokyo, and trains under Sendai Tanaka's guidance. He has often attended Marco Antonio Barrera's training camp since 2003, because he was appreciated for his speed and heavy fists, and served as Barrera's chief sparring partner in August 2007.
After thirteen unbeaten fights, Ao beat Koji Umetsu for the Japanese featherweight title in March 2007.
Ao lost via split decision to champion Óscar Larios on 16 October 2008. Despite flooring Larios in the 4th round, Ao managed to lose a decision in the close and contested bout.
Fortunate for him, Ao got another chance at Larios' title on 12 March 2009. There, he applied more offensive tactics which resulted Larios dropping in the 12th round. Ao won the match by unanimous decision. On his first defense of the title held on July 14 that same year, Ao lost to Elio Rojas by unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
33WinGamaliel DiazUD81 Mar 2018 Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
32NC27–3–1 Raymundo BeltranNC121 May 2015 The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada, USFor vacant WBO lightweight title
31Win27–3–1Juan Carlos SalgadoUD1022 Oct 2014 Yoyogi#2 Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan
30Win26–3–1Marco Antonio LópezUD1023 Apr 2014 Osaka-Jo Hall, Osaka, Japan
29Win25–3–1Edgar Alejandro LomeliKO1, 3:0310 Nov 2013 Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
28Win24–3–1Hardy ParedesKO2, 2:5113 Jul 2013 Hollywood Park Casino, Inglewood, California, US
27Loss23–3–1Gamaliel DíazUD1227 Oct 2012 Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, JapanLost WBC super-featherweight title
26Win23–2–1Terdsak KokietgymUD126 Apr 2012 Tokyo International Forum, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBC super-featherweight title
25Win22–2–1Devis BoschieroSD126 Nov 2011 Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBC super-featherweight title
24Win21–2–1Humberto GutiérrezKO4, 1:068 Apr 2011 World Memorial Hall, Kobe, JapanRetained WBC super-featherweight title
23Win20–2–1Vitali TajbertUD1226 Nov 2010 Nippon Gaishi Hall, Nagoya, JapanWon WBC super-featherweight title
22Win19–2–1Whyber GarcíaTKO8, 1:4830 Apr 2010 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
21Win18–2–1Feider ViloriaUD1018 Dec 2009 World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Japan
20Loss17–2–1Elio RojasUD1214 Jul 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanLost WBC featherweight title
19Win17–1–1Óscar LariosUD1212 Mar 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon WBC featherweight title
18Loss16–1–1Óscar LariosSD1216 Oct 2008 Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanFor WBC featherweight title
17Draw16–0–1Hiroyuki EnokiUD125 Apr 2008 JCB Hall, Tokyo, JapanFor Japanese and OBPF featherweight titles
16Win16–0Noriyuki UenoUD103 Nov 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained Japanese featherweight title
15Win15–0Keisuke AkibaUD107 Jul 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained Japanese featherweight title
14Win14–0Koji UmetsuUD103 Mar 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon Japanese featherweight title
13Win13–0Gabriel PérezTKO6, 1:2713 Nov 2006 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
12Win12–0Francisco DianzoUD103 Jun 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11Win11–0Oswaldo JuarezKO2, 2:1425 Mar 2006 World Memorial Hall, Kobe, Japan
10Win10–0Richard CarrilloUD107 Jan 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9Win9–0Jae-Choon MoonTKO1, 2:5425 Sep 2005 Yokohama Arena, Yokohama, Japan
8Win8–0Yoshinori MiyataUD102 Jul 2005 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7Win7–0Mario RodríguezUD616 April 2005 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan
6Win6–0Sang-Chan NaKO1, 3:075 Feb 2005 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5Win5–0Yosuke SatoUD82 Oct 2004 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4Win4–0Hisami KitaharaTKO5, 2:221 May 2004 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
3Win3–0Nilyon NuñezKO3, 1:2331 Jan 2004 Poliedro de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela
2Win2–0Takashi SaryoKO1, 2:266 Dec 2003 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1Win1–0Hiroshi KashiharaTKO2, 0:496 Sep 2003 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan