Yoshihiro Kamegai


Yoshihiro Kamegai is a Japanese professional boxer 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
34Loss27–5–2 Greg VendettiUD10Aug 17, 2018 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
33Loss27–4–2 Miguel CottoUD12Aug 26, 2017 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.For vacant WBO light middleweight title
32Win27–3–2 Jesus Soto KarassRTD8, 3:00Sep 10, 2016 The Forum, Inglewood, California, U.S.
31Draw26–3–2 Jesus Soto KarassSD10Apr 15, 2016 Belasco Theater, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
30Win26–3–1 Nelson GulpeKO3, 3:09Oct 3, 2015 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
29Loss25–3–1 Alfonso GómezUD10Mar 20, 2015 Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, Indio, California, U.S.
28Win25–2–1 Oscar GodoyTKO4, 1:58Dec 13, 2014 MGM Grand Garden Arena, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
27Loss24–2–1 Robert GuerreroUD12Jun 21, 2014 StubHub Center, Carson, California, U.S.
26Win24–1–1 Jung Hoon YangKO4, 2:25Apr 5, 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained OPBF Welterweight Title
25Win23–1–1 Tim HuntTKO5, 0:53Dec 7, 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon vacant OPBF Welterweight Title
24Loss22–1–1 Johan PerezUD10Jun 8, 2013 Home Depot Center, Carson, California, U.S.For vacant WBA International Welterweight Title
23Win22–0–1 José Alberto Leal2, 1:59Feb 2, 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
22Draw21–0–1 Jorge Silva10Oct 6, 2012 Memorial Auditorium, Sacramento, California, U.S.
21Win21–0 Alfredo ChavezTKO9, 1.47Apr 16, 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
20Win20–0 Eusebio BaluarteUD8Dec 3, 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19Win19–0 Hector MunozTKO6, 1:39Oct 1, 2011 Marquee Ballroom, MGM Grand, Paradise, Nevada, U.S.
18Win18–0 Joel Dela CruzKO2, 2:05Jun 4, 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
17Win17–0 José AlfaroKO6, 2:36Oct 24, 2010 Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan
16Win16–0 Tomoyuki ShiotaniTKO4, 1:45Jul 20, 2010 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanRetained Japanese super lightweight title
15Win15–0 Yosukezan OnoderaTKO9, 2:05Apr 12, 2010 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanWon Japanese super lightweight title
14Win14–0 JR SollanoKO2, 0:43Dec 5, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13Win13–0 Daiki KoideTKO7, 2:48Oct 11, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
12Win12–0 Heri AndriyantoUD8Jun 6, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
11Win11–0 Glen MasicampoKO3, 0:44Mar 21, 2009 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10Win10–0 Hirobumi ItoTKO6, 1:58Dec 20, 2008 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
9Win9–0 Chalermkiet BoonyaemKO2, 2:16Aug 16, 2008 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
8Win8–0 Monte CarlosKO3, 2:25Apr 19, 2008 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7Win7–0 Daisuke Hata10Dec 1, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6Win6–0 Yasuhiro KondoKO4, 2:59Aug 4, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5Win5–0 Akinori SuzukiTKO3, 1:59Mar 3, 2007 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4Win4–0 Mitsuru Okubo6, 3:00Oct 7, 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
3Win3–0 Ken ItoTKO4, 0:55Jul 1, 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2Win2–0 Theerawat YoohanngohTKO3, 2:05Feb 18, 2006 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1Win1–0 Chainarong Sithsaithong1, 0:40Nov 5, 2005 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanProfessional debut