is a Japanese former

professional boxer Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional fights are supervised by a regulatory auth ...

who competed from 2003 to 2018. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC

featherweight Featherweight is a weight class in the combat sports of boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts, and Greco-Roman wrestling. Boxing Professional boxing History A featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of . In the early days of the division, ...

title in 2009 and the WBC

super-featherweight Super featherweight, also known as junior lightweight, is a boxing weight classes, weight division in professional boxing, contested between and . The super featherweight division was established by the New York Walker Law in 1920, although firs ...

title from 2010 to 2012.

Professional career

Ao turned professional in September 2003 at the

Korakuen Hall is a sports arena in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan, which has hosted boxing, professional wrestling, kickboxing, mixed martial arts and Lethwei matches. History On April 16, 1962, the Korakuen Hall was officially opened with a capacity of approximat ...

, Tokyo. In his debut Ao defeated fellow Japanese boxer Hiroshi Kashihara with a second round

knockout A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, ...

. Ao is managed by the Teiken Boxing Gym in Tokyo, and trains under

Sendai Tanaka is a Japanese boxing trainer. He is one of the few outstanding trainers from Asia, and has a reputation especially for his focus mitts training. Early career Tanaka was born in Yamoto, Miyagi (current Yamoto, Higashimatsushima, Miyagi), Japan ...

's guidance. He has often attended

Marco Antonio Barrera Marco Antonio Barrera Tapia (born January 17, 1974) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1989 to 2011. He held multiple triple champion, world championships in three weight classes between 1995 and 2007, from super bantamwei ...

's training camp since 2003, because he was appreciated for his speed and heavy fists, and served as Barrera's chief sparring partner in August 2007. After thirteen unbeaten fights, Ao beat Koji Umetsu for the Japanese featherweight title in March 2007. Ao lost via split decision to champion

Óscar Larios Óscar Larios (born 1 November 1976) is a Mexican former professional boxer who competed from 1994 to 2009. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the WBC super bantamweight title from 2002 to 2004 and the WBC featherweight ...

on 16 October 2008. Despite flooring Larios in the 4th round, Ao managed to lose a decision in the close and contested bout. Fortunate for him, Ao got another chance at Larios' title on 12 March 2009. There, he applied more offensive tactics which resulted Larios dropping in the 12th round. Ao won the match by unanimous decision. On his first defense of the title held on July 14 that same year, Ao lost to

Elio Rojas Elio Enai Rojas (born September 25, 1982) is a Dominican Republican professional boxer. Amateur Highlights 1999- Gold Medal in the Battle of Carabobo and Cheo Aponte Tournament. Elio Rojas solidified his status as a World Class Boxer in 2000 ...

by unanimous decision.

Professional boxing record

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ao, Takahiro 1984 births Living people Japanese male boxers World featherweight boxing champions World super-featherweight boxing champions World Boxing Council champions Sportspeople from Ichihara, Chiba

Professional career

Professional boxing record

See also

References

External links