Daisuke Naito
Encyclopedia
is a professional boxer from Japan. He is the former WBC
flyweight champion, and former Japanese and OPBF
flyweight champion.
flyweight champion Takefumi Sakata
for the Japanese flyweight title on July 16, 2001, but failed to win the title in a 10-round draw.
Naito traveled to Thailand
in 2002 for his first world title shot, challenging Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
for the Lineal and WBC
flyweight titles. Naito was knocked out only 34 seconds into the first round, setting the record for the fastest knockout in a world flyweight title match ever.
On June 6, 2004, Naito dominated his opponent to win the Japanese flyweight title. He made his first defense later that year, knocking out the challenger only 24 seconds into the first round to set the record for the shortest Japanese flyweight title match ever. He made two defenses before returning his title.
Naito challenged Wonjongkam for the second time on October 10, 2005, but lost by decision after the fight was stopped due to an injury in the 7th round. Naito won the Japanese flyweight title for the second time in February, 2006, and won the OPBF flyweight title in June, 2006, by 6th round TKO.
Naito made one defense of the OPBF title before returning it in February, 2007. He also announced his decision to challenge Pongsaklek Wonjongkam for the third time, but found it difficult to gather sponsors. The match was finalized on July 6; only 12 days prior to the actual match-up. Naito defeated Pongsaklek Wonjongkam on July 18, 2007 by 12-round unanimous decision, winning the world title five years after his first world title shot. Wonjongkam had made 17 defenses of the WBC title, and had not lost in over a decade.
On October 11, 2007, Naito defeated Daiki Kameda
by unanimous decision for the first defense of his WBC title. Naito thoroughly outclassed the younger fighter (Kameda is 15 years his junior) despite being fouled throughout the fight. He received illegal blows to the thighs on several occasions, and was thrown down onto the ring in a wrestling-like maneuver in the 12th round. Koki Kameda
's upcoming fight was cancelled after video footage was produced showing that he encouraged his younger brother to foul Naito in-between rounds, and Daiki Kameda's boxing license was suspended for one year. The fight received widespread coverage by the Japanese media because of the heated exchanges between Naito and the Kameda boxing family. Daiki Kameda had described Naito as a "cockroach" prior to the fight, and stated that he would commit harakiri (ritual suicide) if he were to lose. The victory gave Naito celebrity status in Japan, and he has appeared in numerous Japanese television programs and commercials since then.
Naito fought Pongsaklek Wonjongkam for the 4th time on March 3, 2008 for his 2nd title defense. Naito retained his title as the bout ended in a draw, with one judge scoring the bout even, another scoring it in favor of Naito, and the other in favor of Wonjongkam. His 3rd defense came against Japanese flyweight champion Tomonobu Shimizu
on July 30, 2008 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium
in Tokyo. The open scoring system was used for this bout, and the score announcement after the 8th round revealed Shimizu to be leading on points. However, Naito landed a left hook and a combination to score a knockdown in the 10th round, and won the fight by knockout in the same round with another combination. This bout was on the same card as WBA flyweight champion Takefumi Sakata
's 4th title defense, and Koki Kameda made a surprise appearance on the ring to congratulate Naito during the post-fight interview.
On the 23rd of December 2008, Naito won in his 4th title defense by stopping Shingo Yamaguchi in the 11th round.
For his 5th defense, Naito faced Xiong Zhao Zhong of China on May 26, 2009. Despite taking on a rather small opponent (4'11), Naito was sent to the canvas in the 6th round. But in the end, he still escaped with a unanimous decision.
On November 29, 2009, he lost the Lineal and WBC
flyweight titles to Koki Kameda
in Saitama, Japan, losing by unanimous decision.
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 champion, and former Japanese and OPBF
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation
The Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation is a professional boxing organization that sanctions title fights in the Asian and Pacific region.-History:The OPBF was formed in 1954 by the Japanese, Korean, and Filipino boxing commissions...
flyweight champion.
Professional career
Naito made his professional debut in October, 1996. He compiled an undefeated record, and challenged future WBAWorld 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...
flyweight champion Takefumi Sakata
Takefumi Sakata
is a Japanese boxer in the flyweight division and a former WBA flyweight champion.Sakata was the premier boxer in the Kyoei boxing gym before the arrival of Kōki Kameda in 2005...
for the Japanese flyweight title on July 16, 2001, but failed to win the title in a 10-round draw.
Naito traveled to Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
in 2002 for his first world title shot, challenging Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
Pongsaklek Wonjongkam
Pongsaklek Wonjongkam is a professional southpaw boxer in the flyweight division. His record is 83-3-1 . He is the WBC Flyweight Champion, as well as The Ring World Flyweight Champion...
for the Lineal and 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 titles. Naito was knocked out only 34 seconds into the first round, setting the record for the fastest knockout in a world flyweight title match ever.
On June 6, 2004, Naito dominated his opponent to win the Japanese flyweight title. He made his first defense later that year, knocking out the challenger only 24 seconds into the first round to set the record for the shortest Japanese flyweight title match ever. He made two defenses before returning his title.
Naito challenged Wonjongkam for the second time on October 10, 2005, but lost by decision after the fight was stopped due to an injury in the 7th round. Naito won the Japanese flyweight title for the second time in February, 2006, and won the OPBF flyweight title in June, 2006, by 6th round TKO.
Naito made one defense of the OPBF title before returning it in February, 2007. He also announced his decision to challenge Pongsaklek Wonjongkam for the third time, but found it difficult to gather sponsors. The match was finalized on July 6; only 12 days prior to the actual match-up. Naito defeated Pongsaklek Wonjongkam on July 18, 2007 by 12-round unanimous decision, winning the world title five years after his first world title shot. Wonjongkam had made 17 defenses of the WBC title, and had not lost in over a decade.
On October 11, 2007, Naito defeated Daiki Kameda
Daiki Kameda
is a Japanese professional boxer in the flyweight division. He is the former WBA Flyweight Champion. Kameda has made it his custom to sing a song for the audience after each of his victories.-Personal life:...
by unanimous decision for the first defense of his WBC title. Naito thoroughly outclassed the younger fighter (Kameda is 15 years his junior) despite being fouled throughout the fight. He received illegal blows to the thighs on several occasions, and was thrown down onto the ring in a wrestling-like maneuver in the 12th round. Koki Kameda
Koki Kameda
is a Japanese professional boxer in the Flyweight division and the current WBA Bantamweight Regular Champion. He is the oldest of the three Kameda brothers. His younger brother, Daiki Kameda, is a professional boxer in the super flyweight division, and the youngest brother Tomoki, is the WBC Youth...
's upcoming fight was cancelled after video footage was produced showing that he encouraged his younger brother to foul Naito in-between rounds, and Daiki Kameda's boxing license was suspended for one year. The fight received widespread coverage by the Japanese media because of the heated exchanges between Naito and the Kameda boxing family. Daiki Kameda had described Naito as a "cockroach" prior to the fight, and stated that he would commit harakiri (ritual suicide) if he were to lose. The victory gave Naito celebrity status in Japan, and he has appeared in numerous Japanese television programs and commercials since then.
Naito fought Pongsaklek Wonjongkam for the 4th time on March 3, 2008 for his 2nd title defense. Naito retained his title as the bout ended in a draw, with one judge scoring the bout even, another scoring it in favor of Naito, and the other in favor of Wonjongkam. His 3rd defense came against Japanese flyweight champion Tomonobu Shimizu
Tomonobu Shimizu
is a Japanese professional boxer who is the current WBA super flyweight champion in recess. He is an alumnus of the Tokyo University of Agriculture.-Biography:...
on July 30, 2008 at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium
Yoyogi National Gymnasium
is an arena in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Japan which is famous for its suspension roof design.It was designed by Kenzo Tange and built between 1961 and 1964 to house swimming and diving events in the 1964 Summer Olympics. A separate annex was used for the basketball competition at those same games...
in Tokyo. The open scoring system was used for this bout, and the score announcement after the 8th round revealed Shimizu to be leading on points. However, Naito landed a left hook and a combination to score a knockdown in the 10th round, and won the fight by knockout in the same round with another combination. This bout was on the same card as WBA flyweight champion Takefumi Sakata
Takefumi Sakata
is a Japanese boxer in the flyweight division and a former WBA flyweight champion.Sakata was the premier boxer in the Kyoei boxing gym before the arrival of Kōki Kameda in 2005...
's 4th title defense, and Koki Kameda made a surprise appearance on the ring to congratulate Naito during the post-fight interview.
On the 23rd of December 2008, Naito won in his 4th title defense by stopping Shingo Yamaguchi in the 11th round.
For his 5th defense, Naito faced Xiong Zhao Zhong of China on May 26, 2009. Despite taking on a rather small opponent (4'11), Naito was sent to the canvas in the 6th round. But in the end, he still escaped with a unanimous decision.
On November 29, 2009, he lost the Lineal and 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 titles to Koki Kameda
Koki Kameda
is a Japanese professional boxer in the Flyweight division and the current WBA Bantamweight Regular Champion. He is the oldest of the three Kameda brothers. His younger brother, Daiki Kameda, is a professional boxer in the super flyweight division, and the youngest brother Tomoki, is the WBC Youth...
in Saitama, Japan, losing by unanimous decision.