Kyotaro Fujimoto
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Script error: No such module "Nihongo". is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2011 to 2019 and a kickboxer. He began competing again as a professional kickboxer in 2021.
He is the former K-1 Heavyweight Champion and successfully defended the title against kickboxing legend Peter Aerts at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama. He was also the K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Fukuoka tournament finalist and K-1 Young Japan GP 2007 champion.[1]
Early life
Fujimoto was born in Osaka, Japan, on June 23, 1986. He started learning karate of Uomoto-ryū (魚本流) as a child. His parents divorced in 1997 and he lived with his mother, sisters and grandmother.
Kickboxing career
Kyotaro moved to Tokyo and joined Dragon Dojo established by Kensaku Maeda. He debuted on May 17, 2006, against Junichi Hanada.
Kyotaro entered the world of K-1 when he fought and won the K-1 Tryout 2007 Survival tournament in Tokyo by defeating Tatsunori Momose in the semi-final and Takumi Sato in the final, all by decision. This tournament was designed to showcase new talent. He then fought Kyoung Suk Kim during the opening fights at K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Seoul Final 16 defeating Kim by 2nd Round Knockout.
He further proved himself as a top K-1 contender by defeating the K-1 World Grand Prix 2004 in Las Vegas II and the K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Hawaii tournament champion Mighty Mo at K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Yokohama. Kyotaro was then invited to fight in the K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka in which he became the runner up losing to Brazilian Karateka Ewerton Teixeira.
On March 28, 2009, Kyotaro won the K-1 Heavyweight (-100 kg) Title tournament by knocking out Melvin Manhoef in semifinals and beating Gokhan Saki in finals by extra round majority decision. Kyotaro became the second fighter after Badr Hari to win the title in K-1 Light Heavyweight division.[2]
On December 5, 2009, he faced Tyrone Spong at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final and lost by unanimous decision.
Kyotaro defended his title against 3 time K-1 Grand Prix Champion Peter Aerts at K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama. Kyotaro knocked Aerts down twice at the end of the 1st Round and then knocked him out with his right hook in the 2nd Round.
At the K-1 Final 16 Kyotaro defeated another legend in Jerome Le Banner. Kyotaro withstood the Frenchman's early power to give him a severe beating in the 3rd round to earn a draw. Le Banner was angry at the decision and walked out of the ring, giving Kyotaro the win by DQ.
His next fight was at the K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final against 4-time defending champion Semmy Schilt. He was unable to faze his taller opponent, losing by unanimous decision.
He then chose to fight the DREAM (MMA) Light-heavyweight champion Gegard Mousasi. He was knocked down in the second round and again lost by unanimous decision.
In October 2011, Kyotaro relinquished the K-1 Heavyweight title in order to pursue a career in professional boxing.[3]
Return to K-1
In late 2020, Kyotaro announced he would be returning to kickboxing and is expected to compete at K’Festa 4 on January 24, 2021.[4] He was scheduled to fight Kosuke Jitsutaka.[5] The event was later rescheduled for March 31, 2021.[6] He won his fight against Kosuke Jitsutaka by a second-round knockout.[7]
Kyotaro was scheduled to face the K-1 Cruiserweight champion Sina Karimian at K-1 World GP 2021: Yokohamatsuri on September 20, 2021.[8] Kyotaro lost the fight by split decision, after an extra round was fought.[9]
Kyotaro was scheduled to face the J-Network heavyweight champion Hidenori Sakamoto at K-1 World GP 2022 Japan on February 27, 2022.[10] Their fight was later postponed for K-1: K'Festa 5 on April 3, 2022, and was rescheduled as the quarterfinal bout of the 2022 K-1 openweight tournament.[11] He won the fight by a second-round technical knockout and advanced to the tournament semifinals, where he faced Hisaki Kato.[12] Sattari won the fight by majority decision, with scores of 29–29, 30–28 and 30–28.[13]
Kyotaro faced the unbeaten Satoshi Ishii in a super heavyweight bout at K-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6 on March 12, 2023.[14] He won the fight by unanimous decision, with two scorecards of 30–29 and one scorecard of 30–27.[15]
Boxing career
Kyotaro debuted as a pro boxer on December 31, 2011, when he took a unanimous decision win over Michael O'Donnell in Osaka, Japan. In September 2012, he defeated Chauncy Welliver by unanimous decision, who at the time was ranked #15 in the world by the WBC.
Kyotaro took Welliver's place in the WBC top 15 as a result of this win. Kyotaro lost his next fight against Solomon Haumono via TKO in the 5th round. The fight was held at Bodymaker Colosseum in Osaka on December 31, 2012. Kyotaro won his first major regional title against Willie Nasio for the vacant WBC - OPBF heavyweight title in 2017.
Kyotaro retired from professional boxing on November 12, 2020, announcing plans to go into mixed martial arts.[16]
Kickboxing titles
- Amateur
- 18th All Japan Shin-Karate Championships(K-2 GRAND PRIX) Heavyweight(+75 kg) tournament winner (May 3, 2007)[17]
- Professional
- 2009-2011 K-1 Heavyweight (-100 kg) Champion (1 def.)
- 2009 K-1 Heavyweight (-100 kg) Tournament Champion
- 2008 K-1 Japan GP in Fukuoka Runner-up
- 2007 K-1 Tryouts Young Japan GP champion
Boxing titles
- Japanese heavyweight title (<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />224+1⁄2Ibs)
- WBC - OPBF heavyweight title (<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />227+1⁄4Ibs)
- WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight title (<templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />228+1⁄2Ibs)
Awards
- 18th All Japan Shin-Karate Championship Gaora Award
Ring names
- Kyōtarō Ranger (狂太郎レンジャー / May 2006 - August 2007)
- Kyōtarō Ranger (強太郎レンジャー / August 2007 - January 2008)
- Maeda Keijirō (前田 慶次郎 / January 2008 - August 2009) a.k.a. Keijiro Maeda
- Kyōtarō (京太郎 / August 2009 – December 2010)
- Kyotaro Fujimoto (藤本 京太郎 / December 2011–Present)
Kickboxing record
| Professional kickboxing record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 Wins (11 (T) KO's, 8 decisions, 1 dq), 7 Losses | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | Record |
| 2023-03-12 | Win | Template:Flagicon Satoshi Ishii | K-1 World GP 2023: K'Festa 6 | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 21-7 |
| 2022-04-03 | Loss | Template:Flagicon Mahmoud Sattari | K-1: K'Festa 5, Tournament Semifinals | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Majority) | 3 | 3:00 | 20–7 |
| 2022-04-03 | Win | Template:Flagicon Hidenori Sakamoto | K-1: K'Festa 5, Tournament Quarterfinals | Tokyo, Japan | TKO (Referee stoppage) | 2 | 2:11 | 20–6 |
| 2021-09-20 | Loss | Template:Flagicon Sina Karimian | K-1 World GP 2021: Yokohamatsuri | Yokohama, Japan | Ext. R. Decision (Split) | 4 | 3:00 | 19–6 |
| 2021-03-28 | Win | Template:Flagicon Kosuke Jitsutaka | K’Festa 4 | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Overhand Right) | 2 | 0:29 | 19–5 |
| 2010-12-31 | Loss | Template:Flagicon Gegard Mousasi | Dynamite!! 2010 | Saitama, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 18–5 |
| 2010-12-11 | Loss | Template:Flagicon Semmy Schilt | K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 Final, Semi Finals | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 18–4 |
| 2010-10-02 | Win | Template:Flagicon Jérôme Le Banner | K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Seoul Final 16 | Seoul, South Korea | Forfeit | 4 | N/A | 18–3 |
| 2010-04-03 | Win | Template:Flagicon Peter Aerts | K-1 World Grand Prix 2010 in Yokohama | Yokohama, Japan | KO (Right hook) | 2 | 1:56 | 17–3 |
| Fight for K-1 Heavyweight (-100kg) title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 2009-12-05 | Loss | Template:Flagicon Tyrone Spong | K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final | Yokohama, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 16–3 |
| 2009-09-26 | Loss | Template:Flagicon Ruslan Karaev | K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 Final 16 | Seoul, Republic of Korea | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 16–2 |
| 2009-08-11 | Win | Template:Flagicon Jan Soukup | K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 in Tokyo Final 16 Qualifying GP | Tokyo, Japan | KO (Right hook) | 3 | 1:20 | 16–1 |
| 2009-03-28 | Win | Template:Flagicon Gökhan Saki | K-1 World GP 2009 in Yokohama | Yokohama, Japan | Ext R. Decision (Majority) | 4 | 3:00 | 15–1 |
| Wins K-1 Heavyweight (-100kg) title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 2009-03-28 | Win | Template:Flagicon Melvin Manhoef | K-1 World GP 2009 in Yokohama | Yokohama, Japan | KO (Right hook) | 1 | 2:02 | 14–1 |
| 2008-09-27 | Win | Template:Flagicon Min Ho Song | K-1 World GP 2008 Final 16 | Seoul, Korea | KO (Punches) | 3 | 1:43 | 13–1 |
| 2008-06-29 | Loss | Template:Flagicon Ewerton Teixeira | K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka Final | Fukuoka, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 12–1 |
| Fight was for K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 2008-06-29 | Win | Template:Flagicon Takumi Sato | K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka | Fukuoka, Japan Semi-final | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 12–0 |
| 2008-06-29 | Win | Template:Flagicon Musashi | K-1 World GP 2008 in Fukuoka Quarter-final | Fukuoka, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 11–0 |
| 2008-04-13 | Win | Template:Flagicon Mighty Mo | K-1 World Grand Prix 2008 in Yokohama | Yokohama, Japan | Ext R. Decision | 4 | 3:00 | 10–0 |
| 2007-12-22 | Win | Template:Flagicon Tsuyoshi Nakasako | AJKF "Enter the Dragon The 1st" | Japan | KO | 2 | 2:07 | 9–0 |
| 2007-09-29 | Win | Template:Flagicon Kyoung Suk Kim | K-1 World Grand Prix 2007 in Seoul Final 16 | Seoul, Korea | KO | 2 | 2:14 | 8–0 |
| 2007-08-16 | Win | Template:Flagicon Takumi Sato | K-1 Tryout 2007 Survival K-1 Young Japan GP Final | Tokyo, Japan | Ext.R Decision (Unanimous) | 4 | 3:00 | 7–0 |
| Wins K-1 Tryout 2007 Survival title.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | ||||||||
| 2007-08-16 | Win | Template:Flagicon Tatsunori Momose | K-1 Tryout 2007 Survival K-1 Young Japan GP Semi-final | Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 6–0 |
| 2007-06-03 | Win | Template:Flagicon Ryo Takigawa | J-Network "Team Dragon Quest 1" | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 5–0 |
| 2007-01-12 | Win | Template:Flagicon Tank Sugimura | MAJKF "Shidokan Spring New Year Event Breakdown-1" | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | KO (Punches) | 2 | 1:42 | 4–0 |
| 2006-11-05 | Win | Template:Flagicon Turbo Weerasakreck | M-1 "M-1 Fairtex Shingha Beer Muay Thai Challenge -Thai King's Enthronement 60th Anniversary Cup 2006-" |
Kōtō, Tokyo, Japan | TKO (Right low kick) | 4 | 2:13 | 3–0 |
| 2006-09-01 | Win | Template:Flagicon Toshi Saenchai Gym | J-Network "Mach! Go! Go! '06 -Flyweight Strongest Decision Tournament 1st Match- | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | Decision (Unanimous) | 3 | 3:00 | 2–0 |
| 2006-05-17 | Win | Template:Flagicon Junichi Hanada | J-Network "Go! Go! J-Net '06 -Invading the Dragon- | Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan | KO | 2 | 1:16 | 1–0 |
Legend:
| ||||||||
| Amateur kickboxing record | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
| 2007-05-03 | Win | Template:Flagicon Jun'ichi Kikuchi | 18th K-2 GRAND PRIX Heavyweight tournament Final | Adachi, Tokyo, Japan | Ippon (Awasete) | 1 | N/A | |
Legend:
| ||||||||
Professional boxing record
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Loss | 21–2 | Daniel Dubois | KO | 2 (12), 2:10Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 21 Dec 2019 | Copper Box Arena, London, EnglandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For WBO International and vacant WBC Silver heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 22 | Win | 21–1 | Suthat Kalalek | TKO | 6 (8), 2:08Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 21 Oct 2019 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 21 | Win | 20–1 | Suthat Kalalek | RTD | 6 (12), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 25 Sep 2018 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 20 | Win | 19–1 | Aaron Russell | TKO | 7 (12), 0:28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 7 May 2018 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 19 | Win | 18–1 | Randall Rayment | KO | 5 (12), 2:50Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 4 Nov 2017 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 18 | Win | 17–1 | Herman Ene Purcell | TKO | 9 (12), 1:22Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 9 May 2017 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained OPBF Heavyweight title Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 17 | Win | 16–1 | Willie Nasio | UD | 12 | 14 Jan 2017 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant OPBF heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 16 | Win | 15–1 | Adam Lovelock | TKO | 2 (8), 2:13Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 2 Aug 2016 | Shinjuku FACE, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 15 | Win | 14–1 | Nathan McKay | UD | 8 | 2 Aug 2016 | Ota City General Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 14 | Win | 13–1 | David Torres Garcia | KO | 3 (8), 1:05Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 21 Oct 2015 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 13 | Win | 12–1 | Nobuhiro Ishida | SD | 10 | 30 Apr 2015 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained Japanese heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 12 | Win | 11–1 | David Radeff | UD | 8 | 18 Dec 2014 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 11 | Win | 10–1 | Kotatsu Takehara | TKO | 5 (10), 0:44Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 10 Sep 2014 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained Japanese heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 10 | Win | 9–1 | Nobuhiro Ishida | UD | 8 | 30 Apr 2014 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 9 | Win | 8–1 | Kotatsu Takehara | UD | 8 | 25 Nov 2013 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Retained Japanese heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 8 | Win | 7–1 | Okello Peter | TKO | 6 (10), 2:59Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 23 Jul 2013 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | Won vacant Japanese heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 7 | Win | 6–1 | Fabrice Aurieng | TKO | 7 (8), 1:11Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 17 Apr 2013 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 6 | Loss | 5–1 | Solomon Haumono | TKO | 5 (12), 0:57Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 31 Dec 2012 | Bodymaker Colosseum, Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | For vacant OPBF heavyweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Chauncy Welliver | UD | 10 | 19 Sep 2012 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Clarence Tillman | KO | 3 (8), 0:47Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 20 Jun 2012 | Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Afa Tatupu | TKO | 2 (6), 0:47Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 17 May 2012 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Jae-Chan Kim | TKO | 2 (6), 1:03Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | 6 Mar 2012 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, TokyoScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Michael O'Donnell | UD | 6 | 31 Dec 2011 | Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". |
References
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- ↑ "Shinkarate" 17 years old boys win at two weight divisions! Fighters from Dragon Dojo(Team Dragon) win at two weight divisions 【新空手】17歳が二階級で優勝！龍道場（チームドラゴン）は二階級制覇
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