# Kohei Kono

Kohei Kono (河野公平, Kōno Kōhei) (born November 23, 1980) 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 (98-93, 97-93, 97-94).

### Kono vs. Sonsona

He then won the OPBF super flyweight title against Eden Sonsona by split decision (118-110, 115-113, 113-115).

### Kono vs. Nashiro

In September 2008, Kono fought Nobuo Nashiro for the vacant WBA (Regular) 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 (115-114, 115-114, 114-115). 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 (111-116, 111-116, 109-118), 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 (113-113, 112-114, 111-115) 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 (115-109, 113-111, 116-108).

### 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 (113-115, 112-116, 112-116).

### 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

| 46 fights | 33 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 14 | 2 |
| By decision | 19 | 10 |
| Draws | 1 | 1 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 46 | Loss | 33–12–1 | Jason Moloney | RTD | 6 (12), 3:00 | May 19, 2018 | Town Hall, Malvern, Australia | For WBA Oceania bantamweight title |
| 45 | Loss | 33–11–1 | Rex Tso | TD | 7 (12) | Oct 7, 2017 | Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hong Kong, S.A.R. | For WBO International super-flyweight title |
| 44 | Win | 33–10–1 | Rambo Sithsaithong | TKO | 5 (8), 1:35 | Jul 23, 2017 | Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 43 | Loss | 32–10–1 | Naoya Inoue | KO | 6 (12), 1:01 | Dec 30, 2016 | Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan | For WBO super-flyweight title |
| 42 | Loss | 32–9–1 | Luis Concepción | UD | 12 | Aug 31, 2016 | Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Lost WBA super-flyweight title |
| 41 | Win | 32–8–1 | Tanawat Phonnaku | UD | 12 | Apr 27, 2016 | Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA super-flyweight title |
| 40 | Win | 31–8–1 | Kōki Kameda | UD | 12 | Oct 16, 2015 | UIC Pavilion, Chicago, Illinois, U.S. | Retained WBA super-flyweight title |
| 39 | Draw | 30–8–1 | Norbelto Jimenez | SD | 12 | Dec 31, 2014 | Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA super-flyweight title |
| 38 | Win | 30–8 | Denkaosan Kaovichit | KO | 8 (12), 0:50 | Mar 26, 2014 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant WBA super-flyweight title |
| 37 | Win | 29–8 | Dawut Manopkanchang | TKO | 3 (8), 0:50 | Dec 31, 2013 | Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 36 | Loss | 28–8 | Liborio Solís | MD | 12 | May 6, 2013 | Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Lost WBA super-flyweight title |
| 35 | Win | 28–7 | Tepparith Singwancha | KO | 4 (12), 2:08 | Dec 31, 2012 | Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Won WBA super-flyweight title |
| 34 | Win | 27–7 | Petchbarngborn Kokietgym | UD | 8 | Sep 10, 2012 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 33 | Win | 26–7 | Yusaku Ishikawa | TKO | 5 (8), 1:14 | Mar 31, 2012 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 32 | Loss | 25–7 | Yohei Tobe | UD | 8 | Oct 10, 2011 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 31 | Loss | 25–6 | Yota Sato | UD | 10 | Apr 9, 2011 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | For Japanese super-flyweight title |
| 30 | Loss | 25–5 | Tomás Rojas | UD | 12 | Sep 20, 2010 | Super Arena, Saitama, Japan | For vacant WBC super-flyweight title |
| 29 | Win | 25–4 | Masafumi Tonomura | TKO | 11 (12), 2:28 | May 17, 2010 | Super Arena, Saitama, Japan | Retained OPBF super-flyweight title |
| 28 | Win | 24–4 | Marvin Tampus | UD | 12 | Oct 3, 2009 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained OPBF super-flyweight title |
| 27 | Win | 23–4 | Daniel Ferreras | UD | 12 | May 2, 2009 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant OPBF super-flyweight title |
| 26 | Win | 22–4 | Hendrik Barongsay | TKO | 6 (10), 2:28 | Feb 7, 2009 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 25 | Loss | 21–4 | Nobuo Nashiro | SD | 12 | Sep 15, 2008 | Pacifico, Yokohama, Japan | For vacant WBA super-flyweight title |
| 24 | Win | 21–3 | Kuniyuki Aizawa | UD | 12 | Feb 16, 2008 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained OPBF and Japanese super-flyweight titles |
| 23 | Win | 20–3 | Eden Sonsona | SD | 12 | Oct 6, 2007 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won vacant OPBF super-flyweight title |
| 22 | Win | 19–3 | Kenji Saegusa | TD | 9 (10), 1:05 | Jun 2, 2007 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained Japanese super-flyweight title |
| 21 | Win | 18–3 | Teppei Kikui | UD | 10 | Feb 12, 2007 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won Japanese super-flyweight title |
| 20 | Win | 17–3 | Saichon Or Ounsuwon | TKO | 6 (8), 2:41 | Sep 4, 2006 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 19 | Win | 16–3 | Prosper Matsuura | TKO | 9 (10), 1:50 | Feb 11, 2006 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 18 | Win | 15–3 | Petchdam Sithsaithong | KO | 2 (10), 1:07 | Oct 24, 2005 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 17 | Loss | 14–3 | Teppei Kikui | UD | 8 | Jul 16, 2005 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 | Kyohei Wada | UD | 8 | Feb 1, 2005 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Munetake Egawa | SD | 8 | Aug 25, 2004 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 14 | Win | 12–2 | Kengo Wakao | TKO | 7 (10), 1:05 | May 20, 2004 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 13 | Win | 11–2 | Asahi Takano | UD | 8 | Feb 5, 2004 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 12 | Win | 10–2 | Teppei Kikui | SD | 8 | Nov 4, 2003 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 11 | Win | 9–2 | Makoto Horinouchi | TKO | 2 (6), 2:54 | Jun 26, 2003 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 10 | Loss | 8–2 | Daigo Nakahiro | UD | 6 | Dec 22, 2002 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Kenji Saegusa | UD | 6 | Nov 9, 2002 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Yuichiro Komuro | UD | 6 | Sep 26, 2002 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Yuki Kishi | UD | 6 | Aug 2, 2002 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 6 | Win | 5–1 | Kosuke Takamizawa | TKO | 4 (4), 1:54 | May 31, 2002 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 5 | Win | 4–1 | Ryoji Arai | KO | 1 (4), 2:07 | Jan 28, 2002 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 4 | Win | 3–1 | Yosuke Ishiwatari | UD | 4 | Sep 26, 2001 | Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Japan | |
| 3 | Win | 2–1 | Takaaki Hayashi | UD | 4 | Jun 19, 2001 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 2 | Win | 1–1 | Kazuya Hirata | UD | 4 | Apr 18, 2001 | Japan | |
| 1 | Loss | 0–1 | Toshiaki Nitta | MD | 4 | Nov 22, 2000 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |