Celes Kobayashi

Infobox Boxer


name=Celes Kobayashi
realname=Shoji Kobayashi
nickname=
weight=Super flyweight
nationality=Flagicon|JPN Japanese
birth_date=Birth date and age|1974|10|6|mf=y
birth_place=Ibaraki, Japan
death_date|=
death_place|=
style=Southpaw
total=32
wins=24
losses=5
draws=3
no contests=0
KO=14|

Ceres Kobayashi (セレス小林, born Shoji Kobayashi on 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. "Celes" means "sky" in Portuguese.

He currently lives in Chiba, Japan, with his wife and daughter.

Biography

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. Kobayashi made his second try for the world title in March, 2001, challenging Leo Gamez for the WBA Super flyweight title. He dominated Gamez for the entire fight before winning by TKO in the 10th round.

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.

Post Retirement

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

* List of WBA world champions

Sources

*
* [http://www.celes-gym.com/ Celes boxing gym official (Japanese)]