Akira Yaegashi (八重樫 東, Yaegashi Akira, born February 25, 1983) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2005 to 2019.[1] He was a three-weight world champion, having held the WBA mini-flyweight title from 2011 to 2012, the WBC and The Ring flyweight titles from 2013 to 2014, and the IBF light-flyweight title from 2015 to 2016. He is an alumnus of the Takushoku University.[2][3]
Akira Yaegashi | |
|---|---|
| Born | 八重樫東 February 25, 1983 Kitakami, Iwate, Japan |
| Other names | Sonic Fist |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (160 cm) |
| Reach | 65 in (165 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 35 |
| Wins | 28 |
| Wins by KO | 16 |
| Losses | 7 |
Professional career edit
Yaegashi finished his amateur career with a record of 56–14 after winning the Inter-High School Championship and the National Sports Festival of Japan. His professional debut was at the Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium in March 2005.[4] He won the vacant OPBF mini-flyweight title there via a fifth-round technical knockout in April 2006 and defended the title once before vacating it.[2]
In his first world title shot against the WBC mini-flyweight champion Eagle Kyowa at the Pacifico Yokohama in June 2007, Yaegashi lost for the first time by a wide points margin after suffering a broken TMJ[2] in two places due to an accidental headbutt in the second round.[5]
After a nearly eleven-month absence from the ring, Yaegashi restarted his career, but lost in the semi-final match of the annual Japanese title elimination tournament nicknamed "The Strongest in Korakuen" at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo in July 2008. It was in June 2009 that Yaegashi won the vacant Japanese mini-flyweight title at the IMP Hall in Osaka. He defended the title three times before returning it.[2]
Yaegashi won the WBA mini-flyweight title in his second world title shot against Thai's Pornsawan Porpramook via a tenth-round technical knockout at the Korakuen Hall on October 24, 2011.[6] It was a very tough fight.[7] Before the final round began, Yaegashi's manager Ohashi said to him "Come back for your son". The fight earned accolades from international media, winning Fight of the Year honors from ESPN.com[8] and BoxingScene.com,[9] as well as the WBA's award for Most Dramatic Fight of 2011.[10]
On June 20, 2012, in a match that marked the first time two Japanese fighters had met to unify world titles, he lost to the WBC champion Kazuto Ioka via a unanimous decision at the Bodymaker Colosseum.[11][12][13] When asked whether the result would have been different unless he got swollen eyes, Yaegashi said "We should not think about it. There is no if's in boxing".[14] The day after the fight, Ioka decided to move up a weight division. So, Yaegashi's team hope the rematch with Ioka in a higher division as their second unification bout. First, Yaegashi aims to win a world championship again.[15][16]
Yaegashi returned to the ring in a light-flyweight bout at the Korakuen Hall on January 5, 2013, to knock out Saenmuangloei Kokietgym in the ninth round.[17][18]
Yaegashi became a two-weight class champion when he defeated defending WBC and The Ring flyweight champion, Toshiyuki Igarashi in a unanimous decision on April 8, 2013, in Tokyo, Japan.[19][20] On 12 August 2013, Yaegashi successfully defended his title by defeating Mexican fighter Oscar Blanquet. Yaegashi floored Blanquet in the 8th round on his way to a points victory.[21]
Yaegashi became a three-weight world champion after defeating IBF light-flyweight champion Javier Mendoza via unanimous decision.
Professional boxing record edit
| 35 fights | 28 wins | 7 losses |
|---|---|---|
| By knockout | 16 | 4 |
| By decision | 12 | 3 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | Loss | 28–7 | Moruti Mthalane | TKO | 9 (12), 2:54 | Dec 23, 2019 | Yokohama Arena, Japan | For IBF flyweight title |
| 34 | Win | 28–6 | Sahaphap Bunop | TKO | 2 (10), 2:25 | Apr 8, 2019 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 33 | Win | 27–6 | Hirofumi Mukai | TKO | 7 (10), 2:55 | Aug 17, 2018 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 32 | Win | 26–6 | Frans Damur Palue | TKO | 2 (10), 2:24 | Mar 26, 2018 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 31 | Loss | 25–6 | Milan Melindo | TKO | 1 (12), 2:45 | May 21, 2017 | Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan | Lost IBF light-flyweight title |
| 30 | Win | 25–5 | Wittawas Basapean | TKO | 12 (12), 2:13 | Dec 30, 2016 | Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan | Retained IBF light-flyweight title |
| 29 | Win | 24–5 | Martin Tecuapetla | SD | 12 | May 8, 2016 | Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan | Retained IBF light-flyweight title |
| 28 | Win | 23–5 | Javier Mendoza | UD | 12 | Dec 29, 2015 | Ariake Coliseum, Tokyo, Japan | Won IBF light-flyweight title |
| 27 | Win | 22–5 | Said Fahdafi | KO | 3 (10), 1:10 | Aug 20, 2015 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 26 | Win | 21–5 | Songseanglek Phosuwangym | TKO | 2 (8), 2:05 | May 1, 2015 | Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 25 | Loss | 20–5 | Pedro Guevara | KO | 7 (12), 2:45 | Dec 30, 2014 | Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo, Japan | For vacant WBC light-flyweight title |
| 24 | Loss | 20–4 | Román González | TKO | 9 (12), 2:24 | Sep 5, 2014 | Yoyogi #2 Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Lost WBC and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 23 | Win | 20–3 | Odilon Zaleta | KO | 9 (12), 2:14 | Apr 6, 2014 | Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBC and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 22 | Win | 19–3 | Édgar Sosa | UD | 12 | Dec 6, 2013 | Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBC and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 21 | Win | 18–3 | Oscar Blanquet | UD | 12 | Aug 12, 2013 | Ota-City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBC and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 20 | Win | 17–3 | Toshiyuki Igarashi | UD | 12 | Apr 8, 2013 | Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan | Won WBC and The Ring flyweight titles |
| 19 | Win | 16–3 | Saenmuangloei Kokietgym | KO | 9 (10), 2:52 | Jan 5, 2013 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 18 | Loss | 15–3 | Kazuto Ioka | UD | 12 | Jun 20, 2012 | Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, Japan | Lost WBA mini-flyweight title; For WBC mini-flyweight title |
| 17 | Win | 15–2 | Pornsawan Porpramook | TKO | 10 (12), 2:38 | Oct 24, 2011 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Won WBA mini-flyweight title |
| 16 | Win | 14–2 | Norihito Tanaka | UD | 10 | Apr 2, 2011 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained Japanese mini-flyweight title |
| 15 | Win | 13–2 | Kosuke Takeichi | UD | 10 | May 1, 2010 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained Japanese mini-flyweight title |
| 14 | Win | 12–2 | Junichiro Kaneda | UD | 10 | Sep 5, 2009 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Retained Japanese mini-flyweight title |
| 13 | Win | 11–2 | Kenichi Horikawa | UD | 10 | Jun 21, 2009 | IMP Hall, Osaka, Japan | Won vacant Japanese mini-flyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 10–2 | Srisaket Sor Rungvisai | TKO | 3 (8), 2:11 | Mar 17, 2009 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 11 | Win | 9–2 | Takumi Suda | UD | 8 | Oct 18, 2008 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 10 | Win | 8–2 | Thongthailek Sor Tanapinyo | TKO | 2 (8), 2:35 | Sep 15, 2008 | Pacifico, Yokohama, Japan | |
| 8 | Loss | 7–2 | Masatate Tsuji | MD | 6 | Jul 1, 2008 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Yasuhiro Hisada | UD | 10 | Apr 30, 2008 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 7 | Loss | 6–1 | Eagle Den Junlaphan | UD | 12 | Jun 4, 2007 | Pacifico, Yokohama, Japan | For WBC mini-flyweight title |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Liempetch Sor Veerapol | KO | 1 (12), 2:55 | Sep 18, 2006 | Pacifico, Yokohama, Japan | Retained WBC-OPBF mini-flyweight title |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Weerasak Chuwatana | KO | 5 (12), 2:19 | Apr 3, 2006 | Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Japan | Won vacant WBC-OPBF mini-flyweight title |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Elmer Gejon | UD | 10 | Dec 5, 2005 | Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Japan | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Danchai Sithsaithong | KO | 2 (8), 1:38 | Aug 22, 2005 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Poonsawat Eausampan | KO | 1 (8), 2:50 | May 18, 2005 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Omoyoshi Nakayama | KO | 1 (6), 1:20 | Mar 26, 2005 | Bunka Gym, Yokohama, Japan |
Exhibition boxing record edit
| 3 fights | 0 wins | 0 losses |
|---|---|---|
| Non-scored | 3 | |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | — | 0–0 (3) | Taku Kuwahara | — | 2 | 28 Nov 2020 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Non-scored bout |
| 2 | — | 0–0 (2) | Katsuki Mori | — | 2 | 1 Jul 2019 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Non-scored bout |
| 1 | — | 0–0 (1) | Naoya Inoue | — | 2 | 19 May 2014 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | Non-scored bout |
Recognitions edit
See also edit
References edit
- ^ Donovan, Jake (1 September 2020). "Akira Yaegashi, Former Three-Division Champ, Announces Retirement". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
- ^ a b c d 選手データ (in Japanese). Boxing Mobile (East Japan Boxing Association). 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ 八重樫、リーチ11センチ劣る ダブル世界戦予備検診 (in Japanese). Boxing News (Boxing Beat editorial department). August 9, 2013. Retrieved August 13, 2013.
- ^ 選手紹介 (in Japanese). Ohashi Boxing Gym. 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ "八重樫TKOで岩手出身初の世界王者!". Daily Sports (in Japanese). October 25, 2011. Archived from the original on December 28, 2011. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ "Pornsawan loses WBA title". Bangkok Post. October 25, 2011. Retrieved October 25, 2011.
- ^ Pornsawan Porpramook vs. Yaeagshi (Links to YouTube video) (in Japanese). TV Tokyo. October 24, 2011. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ a b Dan Rafael (December 30, 2011). "Fight of year: Yaegashi-Porpramook". ESPN. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ a b Cliff Rold (January 3, 2012). "BoxingScene's 2011 Year-End Awards: Fight of The Year". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ a b Kittipong Thongsombat (February 4, 2012). "Ex-champion Khaosai named WBA legend". Bangkok Post. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ Corey Erdman (June 20, 2012). "Ioka bests valiant Yaegashi to unify strawweight titles". RingTV.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ Mark Ortega (June 20, 2012). "Kazuto Ioka Decisions One-Eyed Akira Yaegashi In Minimumweight Title Tilt". Queensberry-Rules.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ Jake Donovan (June 20, 2012). "Kazuto Ioka Outlasts Akira Yaegashi In A War". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ 藤原 翔 (June 20, 2012). 敗者、八重樫に涙なし 「またイチから…」 (in Japanese). MSN Sankei News. Archived from the original on June 21, 2012. Retrieved June 20, 2012.
- ^ 井岡と八重樫 ライトフライ級で再戦誓う. Sports Nippon (in Japanese). June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ 八重樫「悔しい」井岡との再戦に意欲 (in Japanese). Daily Sports. June 22, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012. (includes photo)
- ^ Jake Donovan (January 5, 2013). "Akira Yaegashi A Knockout Winner In Ring Return". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ Joe Koizumi (January 5, 2013). "Inoue finishes Thai champ Ngaoprajan in one". Fightnews.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
- ^ "Akira Yaegashi - Lineal Flyweight Champion". The Cyber Boxing Zone Encyclopedia.
- ^ "Yaegashi outclasses Igarashi to nab WBC flyweight title". Japan Times. April 9, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
- ^ "Yaegashi keeps WBC flyweight crown". Arab News. August 12, 2013. Retrieved October 21, 2013.
External links edit
- Boxing record for Akira Yaegashi from BoxRec (registration required)
- Akira Yaegashi on Twitter (in Japanese)
- Akira Yaegashi - CBZ Profile
