Yoshihiro Kamegai (亀海喜寛 Kamegai Yoshihiro, born November 12, 1982) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2018. affiliated with the Teiken Boxing Gym[1] and Golden Boy Promotions.[2] 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.

Yoshihiro Kamegai
Born
Yoshihiro Kamegai (亀海喜寛)

(1982-11-12) November 12, 1982 (age 41)
NationalityJapanese
Other namesMaestrito
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 9 in (175 cm)
Reach71 in (180 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record
Total fights34
Wins27
Wins by KO24
Losses5
Draws2

Professional career edit

Kamegai vs. Pérez edit

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.[3]

OPBF Welterweight Title edit

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.[4]

Kamegai vs. Guerrero edit

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.[5]

Kamegai vs. Gomez edit

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.[6]

Kamegai vs. Soto Karass I edit

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.[7]

Kamegai vs. Soto Karass II edit

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.[8]

Kamegai vs. Cotto edit

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.[9]

Professional boxing record edit

34 fights 27 wins 5 losses
By knockout 24 0
By decision 3 5
Draws 2
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
34 Loss 27–5–2 Greg Vendetti UD 10 Aug 17, 2018 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
33 Loss 27–4–2 Miguel Cotto UD 12 Aug 26, 2017 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S. For vacant WBO junior middleweight title
32 Win 27–3–2 Jesus Soto Karass RTD 8 (10), 3:00 Sep 10, 2016 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
31 Draw 26–3–2 Jesus Soto Karass SD 10 Apr 15, 2016 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
30 Win 26–3–1 Nelson Gulpe KO 3 (10), 3:09 Oct 3, 2015 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
29 Loss 25–3–1 Alfonso Gómez UD 10 Mar 20, 2015 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
28 Win 25–2–1 Oscar Godoy TKO 4 (8), 1:58 Dec 13, 2014 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27 Loss 24–2–1 Robert Guerrero UD 12 Jun 21, 2014 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.
26 Win 24–1–1 Jung Hoon Yang KO 4 (12), 2:25 Apr 5, 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained OPBF welterweight title
25 Win 23–1–1 Tim Hunt TKO 5 (12), 0:53 Dec 7, 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant OPBF welterweight title
24 Loss 22–1–1 Johan Perez UD 10 Jun 8, 2013 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S. For vacant WBA International welterweight title
23 Win 22–0–1 José Alberto Leal KO 2 (10), 1:59 Feb 2, 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
22 Draw 21–0–1 Jorge Silva SD 10 Oct 6, 2012 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
21 Win 21–0 Alfredo Chavez TKO 9 (10), 1:47 Apr 16, 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
20 Win 20–0 Eusebio Baluarte UD 8 Dec 3, 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19 Win 19–0 Hector Munoz TKO 6 (10), 1:39 Oct 1, 2011 Marquee Ballroom, MGM Grand, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18 Win 18–0 Joel Dela Cruz KO 2 (10), 2:05 Jun 4, 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
17 Win 17–0 José Alfaro KO 6 (10), 2:36 Oct 24, 2010 Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
16 Win 16–0 Tomoyuki Shiotani TKO 4 (10), 1:45 Jul 20, 2010 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese super lightweight title
15 Win 15–0 Yosukezan Onodera TKO 9 (10), 2:05 Apr 12, 2010 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won Japanese super lightweight title
14 Win 14–0 JR Sollano KO 2 (8), 0:43 Dec 5, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13 Win 13–0 Daiki Koide TKO 7 (8), 2:48 Oct 11, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12 Win 12–0 Heri Andriyanto UD 8 Jun 6, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11 Win 11–0 Glen Masicampo KO 3 (8), 0:44 Mar 21, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10 Win 10–0 Hirobumi Ito TKO 6 (8), 1:58 Dec 20, 2008 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9 Win 9–0 Chalermkiet Boonyaem KO 2 (8), 2:16 Aug 16, 2008 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
8 Win 8–0 Monte Carlos KO 3 (8), 2:25 Apr 19, 2008 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7 Win 7–0 Daisuke Hata UD 10 Dec 1, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6 Win 6–0 Yasuhiro Kondo KO 4 (10), 2:59 Aug 4, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5 Win 5–0 Akinori Suzuki TKO 3 (8), 1:59 Mar 3, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4 Win 4–0 Mitsuru Okubo RTD 6 (8), 3:00 Oct 7, 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
3 Win 3–0 Ken Ito TKO 4 (6), 0:55 Jul 1, 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2 Win 2–0 Theerawat Yoohanngoh TKO 3 (6), 2:05 Feb 18, 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1 Win 1–0 Chainarong Sithsaithong TKO 1 (6), 0:40 Nov 5, 2005 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Professional debut

References edit

  1. ^ "Yoshihiro Kamegai (亀海喜寛)". Teiken.
  2. ^ "Yoshihiro Kamegai". Golden Boy Promotions.
  3. ^ "Yoshihiro Kamegai vs Johan Perez". Asian Boxing.
  4. ^ "Yoshihiro Kamegai vacates OPBF title". Asian Boxing.
  5. ^ "Guerrero returns, beats Kamegai by decision". 22 June 2014.
  6. ^ "Alfonso Gomez defeats Yoshihiro Kamegai » Boxing News". 21 March 2015.
  7. ^ "Soto Karass vs Kamegai results: Ten round battle lives up to hype, ends in draw". www.badlefthook.com. 16 April 2016.
  8. ^ "Yoshihiro Kamegai Breaks Body of Jesus Soto Karass For TKO Win – Boxing News". www.boxingscene.com. 10 September 2016.
  9. ^ "Cotto facing Kamegai Aug. 26 for world title". 24 May 2017.

External links edit