Yoshihiro Kamegai


Yoshihiro Kamegai is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2018. affiliated with the Teiken Boxing Gym and Golden Boy Promotions. He secured the Japanese super lightweight title in 2010 as the 33rd champion and defended it once before vacating it. He made his U.S. boxing debut in 2011, securing a victory over Hector Munoz at the MGM Grand. He became the 38th OPBF welterweight champion, securing the title in 2013 before vacating it after one defense. He fought Miguel Cotto for the vacant WBO light middleweight world title.

Professional career

Kamegai vs. Pérez

Kamegai fought Johan Pérez for the WBA International welterweight title, and was dealt his first professional defeat via unanimous decision. The close range brawling style of Kamegai just wasn't in tune to fight against the moving style of Perez.

OPBF Welterweight Title

Kamegai fought Tim Hunt for the vacant OPBF Welterweight Title, securing the title via technical knockout in the fifth round. He later defended the title against Jung Hoon Yang Kamegai later vacated the title as his focused shifted towards the United States.

Kamegai vs. Guerrero

Kamegai fought Robert Guerrero on June 21, 2014. The fight was a brutal back and forth slug-fest with Guererro hardly able open his left eye toward the end of the fight. Nevertheless, Guerrero scored a unanimous 12-round decision over Kamegai with official scores of 116-112, 117-111, and 117-111, giving him his second loss.

Kamegai vs. Gomez

Kamegai fought Alfonso Gómez in 2015. They fought head to head for the match with Gomez ahead on points, making an effective usage of his jab versus a determined Kamegai who kept absorbing punches and going forward, seeking Gomez' liver. An accidental headbutt mid-fight cost Gomez a point deduction. However, despite Kamegai's persistent pressure, Gomez was able to work around the ring more successfully, resulting in Kamegai losing by unanimous decision.

Kamegai vs. Soto Karass I

Kamegai fought Jesus Soto Karass for the first time on April 15, 2016. They fought toe to toe in a close range war exchanging punches non-stop, with neither fighter backing off for the entirety of the match. Though Soto Karass was throwing a more sheer number of punches, Kamegai's were landing more precisely, making the punches between the two virtually even, with little distinguishment of power of their blows. The fight eventually ended in a draw by a split decision from the judges.

Kamegai vs. Soto Karass II

A rematch between Kamegai and Soto Karass was held shortly after the first, on September 10, 2016. In this match Kamegai was able to damage Soto Karass early with a left body blow from the side. The rest of the fight played out similarly to the first, with each fighter duking it out in a full-fledged brawl. Kamegai's punches began to outland Soto Karass and started to gain leverage in the fight, pushing Soto Karass back. Kamegai landed flush shots for the remainder of the match until Soto Karass retired in the corner, which was labeled as a TKO.

Kamegai vs. Cotto

On May 24, it was announced a deal was made for a fight between Cotto and Kamegai to take place on August 26, 2017 at the StubHub Center in Carson, California live on HBO.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
34LossGreg VendettiUD10Aug 17, 2018Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
33Loss27–4–2Miguel CottoUD12Aug 26, 2017StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.For vacant WBO junior middleweight title
32Win27–3–2Jesus Soto KarassRTD8, 3:00Sep 10, 2016The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
31Draw26–3–2Jesus Soto KarassSD10Apr 15, 2016Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
30Win26–3–1Nelson GulpeKO3, 3:09Oct 3, 2015Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
29Loss25–3–1Alfonso GómezUD10Mar 20, 2015Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
28Win25–2–1Oscar GodoyTKO4, 1:58Dec 13, 2014MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27Loss24–2–1Robert GuerreroUD12Jun 21, 2014StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.
26Win24–1–1Jung Hoon YangKO4, 2:25Apr 5, 2014Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF welterweight title
25Win23–1–1Tim HuntTKO5, 0:53Dec 7, 2013Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon vacant OPBF welterweight title
24Loss22–1–1Johan PerezUD10Jun 8, 2013Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.For vacant WBA International welterweight title
23Win22–0–1José Alberto LealKO2, 1:59Feb 2, 2013Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
22Draw21–0–1Jorge Silva10Oct 6, 2012Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
21Win21–0Alfredo ChavezTKO9, 1:47Apr 16, 2012Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
20Win20–0Eusebio BaluarteUD8Dec 3, 2011Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19Win19–0Hector MunozTKO6, 1:39Oct 1, 2011Marquee Ballroom, MGM Grand, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18Win18–0Joel Dela CruzKO2, 2:05Jun 4, 2011Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
17Win17–0José AlfaroKO6, 2:36Oct 24, 2010Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
16Win16–0Tomoyuki ShiotaniTKO4, 1:45Jul 20, 2010Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained Japanese super lightweight title
15Win15–0Yosukezan OnoderaTKO9, 2:05Apr 12, 2010Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon Japanese super lightweight title
14Win14–0JR SollanoKO2, 0:43Dec 5, 2009Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13Win13–0Daiki KoideTKO7, 2:48Oct 11, 2009Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12Win12–0Heri AndriyantoUD8Jun 6, 2009Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11Win11–0Glen MasicampoKO3, 0:44Mar 21, 2009Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10Win10–0Hirobumi ItoTKO6, 1:58Dec 20, 2008Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9Win9–0Chalermkiet BoonyaemKO2, 2:16Aug 16, 2008Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
8Win8–0Monte CarlosKO3, 2:25Apr 19, 2008Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7Win7–0Daisuke Hata10Dec 1, 2007Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6Win6–0Yasuhiro KondoKO4, 2:59Aug 4, 2007Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5Win5–0Akinori SuzukiTKO3, 1:59Mar 3, 2007Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4Win4–0Mitsuru Okubo6, 3:00Oct 7, 2006Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
3Win3–0Ken ItoTKO4, 0:55Jul 1, 2006Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2Win2–0Theerawat YoohanngohTKO3, 2:05Feb 18, 2006Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1Win1–0Chainarong Sithsaithong1, 0:40Nov 5, 2005Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanProfessional debut