Celes Kobayashi (セレス小林, born Shoji Kobayashi, February 27, 1973) is a former professional boxer from Ibaraki, Japan. He is a former WBA Super flyweight champion. He got his ring name, "Celes", from a company he used to work for. He lives in Chiba, Japan, with his wife and daughter.

Celes Kobayashi
セレス小林
Born
Shoji Kobayashi

(1973-02-27) February 27, 1973 (age 51)
NationalityJapanese
Statistics
Weight(s)Super flyweight
Height5 ft 6+12 in (169 cm)
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights32
Wins24
Wins by KO14
Losses5
Draws3

Biography

edit

Kobayashi made his debut in April 1992 in the bantamweight division, losing by 4th-round decision. He dropped down two weight classes to challenge the Japanese flyweight title in 1997, but sustained an injury in the 3rd round, and was unable to capture the title. He challenged the title again in April 1998, losing by 10-round decision, but finally won the title in September of the same year, winning the decision. He defended the title four times from 1998 to 2000.

In August 2000, Kobayashi made his first attempt at the world title against Malcolm Tunacao for the WBC Flyweight title. The fight was a draw, and the champion, Tunacao, retained the title.[1] Kobayashi made his second try for the world title in March 2001, challenging Leo Gamez for the WBA Super flyweight title. He won by TKO in the 10th round,[2] having dominated Gamez for the entire fight.

Kobayashi made his first defense in September 2001, winning by split decision. He fought Alexander Muñoz (undefeated in 21 fights, all won by KO) in March 2002, for his second defense, and lost by TKO in the 8th round to lose his title.

After his loss to Munoz, Kobayashi declined an offer to challenge Masamori Tokuyama for the WBC Super flyweight title,[verification needed] and retired from boxing.

Professional boxing record

edit
32 fights 24 wins 5 losses
By knockout 14 1
By decision 10 4
Draws 3
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
32 Loss 24–5–3 Alexander Muñoz TKO 8 (12) 2002-03-09 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan Lost WBA super flyweight title
31 Win 24–4–3 Jesús Rojas SD 12 (12) 2001-09-01 Arena, Yokohama, Japan Retained WBA super flyweight title
30 Win 23–4–3 Leo Gámez TKO 10 (12) 2001-03-11 Arena, Yokohama, Japan Won WBA super flyweight title
29 Draw 22–4–3 Malcolm Tuñacao SD 12 (12) 2000-08-20 Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan For WBC flyweight title
28 Win 22–4–2 Hayato Asai TKO 7 (10) 2000-04-02 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese flyweight title
27 Win 21–4–2 Katsuhiro Akita PTS 10 (10) 1999-11-07 Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese flyweight title
26 Win 20–4–2 Shin Terao TKO 9 (10) 1999-07-03 Japan Retained Japanese flyweight title
25 Win 19–4–2 Hideyasu Ishihara TKO 7 (10) 1999-03-06 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese flyweight title
24 Win 18–4–2 Nolito Cabato MD 10 (10) 1998-09-30 Japan Won Japanese flyweight title
23 Win 17–4–2 Hiroshi Kobayashi PTS 10 (10) 1998-07-04 Japan
22 Loss 16–4–2 Nolito Cabato SD 10 (10) 1998-04-04 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan For Japanese flyweight title
21 Win 16–3–2 Jojo Torres KO 2 (10) 1997-11-11 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
20 Draw 15–3–2 Nolito Cabato TD 3 (10) 1997-09-13 Matsumoto, Japan For Japanese flyweight title
19 Win 15–3–1 Jun Lansaderas KO 6 (?) 1997-05-16 Japan
18 Win 14–3–1 Marlon Terado KO 1 (?) 1997-03-10 Japan
17 Loss 13–3–1 Kazuhiro Ryuko PTS 8 (8) 1996-11-22 Japan
16 Win 13–2–1 Eiji Shigeyasu PTS 6 (6) 1996-07-31 Japan
15 Win 12–2–1 Christopher Saguid TKO 9 (?) 1996-05-03 Japan
14 Win 11–2–1 Makoto Soto PTS 8 (8) 1996-02-03 Japan
13 Win 10–2–1 Seiji Iwaisako TKO 6 (?) 1995-10-20 Japan
12 Win 9–2–1 Makoto Irie PTS 5 (5) 1995-08-05 Japan
11 Win 8–2–1 Ryo Kurushima PTS 5 (5) 1995-06-03 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
10 Draw 7–2–1 Akira Taiga PTS 6 (6) 1994-12-17 Japan
9 Win 7–2 Motonari Kashima PTS 4 (4) 1994-11-11 Japan
8 Win 6–2 Takeshi Miyamoto KO 3 (4) 1994-10-11 Japan
7 Win 5–2 Shiro Arai KO 1 (4) 1994-09-02 Japan
6 Win 4–2 Toshihiro Matsuoka KO 2 (?) 1994-03-05 Japan
5 Loss 3–2 Yoshimasa Kiyota PTS 4 (4) 1993-09-16 Japan
4 Win 3–1 Takiji Kiyokawa KO 1 (?) 1993-07-15 Japan
3 Win 2–1 Hiroyuki Ida PTS 4 (4) 1993-04-03 Japan
2 Win 1–1 Takiji Kiyokawa KO 1 (?) 1992-12-01 Japan
1 Loss 0–1 Isao Mori PTS 4 (4) 1992-04-17 Japan

Post retirement

edit

Kobayashi worked briefly as a trainer for his former gym before creating the "Celes Kobayashi Boxing Gym" in Chiba, Japan. He frequently appears as a commentator in Japan for boxing title matches.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "Dream Supreme bumps, runs to Ballerina win". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
  2. ^ "S P O R T S". The Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-28.
edit
Sporting positions
Regional boxing titles
Preceded by
Nolito Cabato
Japanese flyweight champion
September 30, 1998 – 2000
Vacated
Vacant
Title next held by
Takefumi Sakata
World boxing titles
Preceded by WBA super flyweight champion
March 11, 2001 – March 9, 2002
Succeeded by