Celes Kobayashi
Encyclopedia
Celes Kobayashi 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. "Celes" means "sky" in Portuguese
.
He currently lives in Chiba
, Japan, with his wife and daughter.
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. 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, having dominated Gamez for the entire fight.
Kobayashi made his first defense in September 2001, winning by split decision. He fought Alexander Munoz
(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, and retired from boxing.
, Japan. He frequently appears as a commentator in Japan for boxing title matches.
Ibaraki, Ibaraki
is a town located in Higashiibaraki District, Ibaraki, Japan.The town was set to merge with Mito, Ibaraki on December 8, 2007, but following the election of a new mayor in April 2007, these plans were abandoned....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. He is a former WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Super flyweight
Super flyweight
Super flyweight is a weight division in professional boxing. It is alternatively referred to as junior bantamweight and light bantamweight...
champion.
He got his ring name, "Celes," from a company he used to work for. "Celes" means "sky" in Portuguese
Portuguese language
Portuguese is a Romance language that arose in the medieval Kingdom of Galicia, nowadays Galicia and Northern Portugal. The southern part of the Kingdom of Galicia became independent as the County of Portugal in 1095...
.
He currently lives in Chiba
Chiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
, Japan, with his wife and daughter.
Biography
Kobayashi made his debut in April 1992 in the bantamweightBantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including 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
Malcolm Tuñacao
Malcolm Alindajao Tuñacao is a professional southpaw boxer in the flyweight division.- Fight career :...
for the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
Flyweight
Flyweight
Flyweight is a class in boxing which includes fighters weighing less than 112 lb but above 108 lb .-Professional boxing:...
title. The fight was a draw, and the champion, Tunacao, retained the title. Kobayashi made his second try for the world title in March 2001, challenging Leo Gamez
Leo Gamez
Silvio Rafael Gamez , better known as Leo Gamez, is a former boxer from Venezuela. A former world Flyweight champion, Gamez became the first Flyweight boxer in history to win world titles in four different divisions....
for the WBA Super flyweight title. He won by TKO in the 10th round, having dominated Gamez for the entire fight.
Kobayashi made his first defense in September 2001, winning by split decision. He fought Alexander Munoz
Alexander Muñoz
Alexander Muñoz is a professional boxer in the super flyweight division, nicknamed "El Explosivo."- Boxing career :...
(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
Masamori Tokuyama
is a retired professional boxer in the super flyweight division. His professional record was 32-3-1 . He is a former WBC world super flyweight champion....
for the WBC Super flyweight title, and retired from boxing.
Post retirement
Kobayashi worked briefly as a trainer for his former gym before creating the "Celes Kobayashi Boxing Gym" in ChibaChiba Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kantō region and the Greater Tokyo Area. Its capital is Chiba City.- History :Chiba Prefecture was established on June 15, 1873 with the merger of Kisarazu Prefecture and Inba Prefecture...
, Japan. He frequently appears as a commentator in Japan for boxing title matches.