Akari Watanabe (Japanese: 渡邊 星, Watanabe Akari; born December 8, 2003), more popularly known by her ring name AKARI, is…Akari Watanabe (Japanese: 渡邊 星, Watanabe Akari; born December 8, 2003), more popularly known by her ring name AKARI, is a retired Japanese professional kickboxer. She was the 2021 RISE NEXT QUEEN Tournament winner and a two-time RISE Women's Mini Flyweight title challenger. Between November 2023 and May 2024, she was ranked as one of the ten best women's strawweight kickboxers in the world.
Jin Sasaki (佐々木尽, Sasaki Jin, born 28 July 2001) is a Japanese professional boxer. He challenged for the WBO…Jin Sasaki (佐々木尽, Sasaki Jin, born 28 July 2001) is a Japanese professional boxer. He challenged for the WBO welterweight title in 2025. Sasaki has held the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation welterweight title since May 2026 and the WBO Asia Pacific and Japanese titles in the same weight division since September 2026. He is also a former WBO Asia Pacific super-lightweight champion.
Yuki Kasahara (笠原 友希, Kasahara Yūki; born June 3, 2001) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super…Yuki Kasahara (笠原 友希, Kasahara Yūki; born June 3, 2001) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super featherweight division of Shoot Boxing. A professional competitor since 2017, he is a two-weight Shootboxing champion, having held the Japan Super Featherweight title since 2021, and the Japan Featherweight title between 2020 and 2021. As of July 2022 he was the #6 ranked Bantamweight in the world by Combat Press.
Haruto Yasumoto (安本 晴翔, Yasumoto Haruto, born 27 May 2000) is a Japanese kickboxer and muay thai fighter, currently…Haruto Yasumoto (安本 晴翔, Yasumoto Haruto, born 27 May 2000) is a Japanese kickboxer and muay thai fighter, currently competing in the featherweight division of RISE, where he is the current champion. He is the former KNOCKOUT RED and WBC Muaythai Japan Featherweight champion. A professional competitor since 2016, he is the former REBELS two-weight champion and the WPMF World featherweight champion. Prior to making his professional debut, Yasumoto had a lengthy amateur career, during which he captured a grand total of 24 championships.
Miyuu Sugawara (Japanese: 菅原 美優, Sugawara Miyuu; born December 22, 1999) is a Japanese kickboxer, who competed in the…Miyuu Sugawara (Japanese: 菅原 美優, Sugawara Miyuu; born December 22, 1999) is a Japanese kickboxer, who competed in the atomweight divisions of K-1 and Krush, where she was the Krush Atomweight champion and the K-1 Atomweight champion.
Hiroki Kasahara (Japanese: 笠原 弘希, Kasahara Hiroki; born August 10, 1999) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing…Hiroki Kasahara (Japanese: 笠原 弘希, Kasahara Hiroki; born August 10, 1999) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the lightweight division of Shootboxing. He is a three-weight Shootboxing champion, having held titles at featherweight (-57.5 kg), super featherweight (-60 kg) and lightweight (-62.5 kg). As of October 2022, Beyond Kick ranks him as the tenth best featherweight kickboxer in the world.
Chihiro Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木千裕, Suzuki Chihiro; born May 14, 1999) is a Japanese kickboxer and mixed martial artist…Chihiro Suzuki (Japanese: 鈴木千裕, Suzuki Chihiro; born May 14, 1999) is a Japanese kickboxer and mixed martial artist currently competing in KNOCK OUT and in the Rizin Fighting Federation. He is the current KNOCK OUT Black Super Lightweight champion. As of April 2023, he is ranked as the ninth best super featherweight kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kick.
Ayinta Ali (Japanese: 寧仁太・アリ, Ali Ayinta; born March 29, 1999) is a Japanese-Ghanaian kickboxer and mixed martial…Ayinta Ali (Japanese: 寧仁太・アリ, Ali Ayinta; born March 29, 1999) is a Japanese-Ghanaian kickboxer and mixed martial artist. He is the a former Krush Welterweight champion. As of March 2022, he was the #8 ranked super featherweight kickboxer in the world by Combat Press.
Taito Gunji (Japanese: 軍司 泰斗, Taito Gunji; born January 17, 1999) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the…Taito Gunji (Japanese: 軍司 泰斗, Taito Gunji; born January 17, 1999) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the featherweight division of K-1. He is the former featherweight champion. A professional competitor since 2015, Gunji is the 2022 K-1 Featherweight World Grand Prix winner, the former Krush Bantamweight champion, and a two-time Krush Super Bantamweight title challenger. As of January 2023, he is ranked as the best bantamweight (-58 kg) and ninth best pound for pound kickboxer in the world by Beyond Kick and the best super flyweight (-58 kg) and tenth best pound for pound kickboxer by Combat Press, who have ranked him in the top ten since August 2021.
Yuki Egawa (江川 優生, Egawa Yūki) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super featherweight division of K-1.…Yuki Egawa (江川 優生, Egawa Yūki) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super featherweight division of K-1. A professional competitor since 2013, he is the former Krush Featherweight and K-1 Featherweight champion. Combat Press ranked him as a top ten super flyweight between September 2020, when he peaked at #2, and July 2021. He was furthermore ranked the #2 strawweight in August 2020.
In 1995, it was estimated that approximately 500 boxers had died from boxing injuries since the introduction of the…In 1995, it was estimated that approximately 500 boxers had died from boxing injuries since the introduction of the Marquess of Queensberry Rules in 1884. The list is incomplete; many other boxers not listed here have died as a consequence of injuries sustained in a contest.
Kotomi Misawa (born 28 July 1996), popularly known as KOTOMI, is a retired Japanese kickboxer, who competed in K-1 and…Kotomi Misawa (born 28 July 1996), popularly known as KOTOMI, is a retired Japanese kickboxer, who competed in K-1 and Krush, where she was the Krush Women's Flyweight champion. She was ranked as a top ten pound for pound female kickboxer by Combat Press between February 2021 and April 2023, as well as by Beyond Kick between November 2022 and April 2023.
Yoshiki Takei (武居由樹; born 12 July 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer and former kickboxer, who held the WBO…Yoshiki Takei (武居由樹; born 12 July 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer and former kickboxer, who held the WBO bantamweight title from 2024 to 2025. As a professional kickboxer, he held the K-1 Super Bantamweight Championship from 2017 until 2020, and was the 2017 and 2019 K-1 Super Bantamweight Grand Prix winner. At the time of his retirement from the sport of kickboxing, on December 9, 2020, Takei was ranked as the best fighter at 55 kg (122 lbs) and the eight best pound for pound fighter in the world.
Taiju Shiratori (白鳥大珠, Shiratori Taiju; born February 2, 1996) is a Japanese professional muay thai kickboxer and…Taiju Shiratori (白鳥大珠, Shiratori Taiju; born February 2, 1996) is a Japanese professional muay thai kickboxer and former boxer. A professional competitor since 2011, Shiratori began his career as a muay thai fighter, most notably winning the WPMF Japan title in 2013. as well as the 2021 Rizin KICK tournament winner. He is the reigning ISKA Unified rules World Light welterweight Champion. Between July and November 2021 he was the #4 ranked bantamweight in the world according to Combat Press. Combat Press ranks him as the #5 super bantamweight kickboxer in the world. Shiratori was ranked as a top ten bantamweight by Combat Press between August 2019 and August 2020, peaking at #1 between April and August 2020. Combat Press furthermore ranked him as a top ten super bantamweight between September 2020 and March 2021, peaking at #1 in September and November 2020.
Shokichi Iwata (岩田翔吉, Iwata Shokichi; born 2 February 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a two-time…Shokichi Iwata (岩田翔吉, Iwata Shokichi; born 2 February 1996) is a Japanese professional boxer. He is a two-time light-flyweight champion, having held the World Boxing Council (WBC) title since March 2026, and previously the World Boxing Organization (WBO) title from 2024 to 2025.
Keita Kurihara (栗原慶太, Kurihara Keita; born 10 January 1993) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the OPBF…Keita Kurihara (栗原慶太, Kurihara Keita; born 10 January 1993) is a Japanese professional boxer who held the OPBF bantamweight title four times.
Leona Pettas (Japanese: レオナ・ペタス, Leona Pettas; born April 29, 1992) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the…Leona Pettas (Japanese: レオナ・ペタス, Leona Pettas; born April 29, 1992) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super featherweight division of K-1, where he is the former Super Featherweight champion. He took the family name of his first trainer Karateka Nicholas Pettas. Pettas is the 2022 K-1 Super Featherweight World Grand Prix winner, the former Krush Super Featherweight champion and a one-time K-1 super featherweight title challenger. He was ranked as a top ten bantamweight by Combat Press between September 2020 and July 2022, peaking at #2. Combat Press ranked him the #4 Flyweight in May and June 2019, and #3 Flyweight between July 2019 and August 2020.
Fumiya Osawa (born 11 September 1991) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently fighting in the lightweight division of K-1…Fumiya Osawa (born 11 September 1991) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently fighting in the lightweight division of K-1 and Krush, where he is the former Krush Lightweight champion. Osawa is the 2018 K-1 Lightweight Grand Prix finalist.
Masayuki Ito (born January 19, 1991) is a Japanese boxing promoter and former professional boxer who held the WBO…Masayuki Ito (born January 19, 1991) is a Japanese boxing promoter and former professional boxer who held the WBO super-featherweight title from 2018 to 2019.
Daizo Sasaki (born 20 November 1990) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super lightweight divisions of…Daizo Sasaki (born 20 November 1990) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently competing in the super lightweight divisions of Krush and K-1. He is the former Krush Super Lightweight champion, the former Krush Lightweight champion, the 2018 K-1 Super Lightweight Grand Prix finalist and a one-time K-1 World GP Super Lightweight title challenger. As of June 2022, Sasaki is the #6 ranked featherweight in the world according to Combat Press. He's been continuously ranked in the featherweight top ten since February 2021.
Kenji Kubo (born 4 April 1989), also known simply as KENJI, is a Japanese kickboxer and former professional boxer. He…Kenji Kubo (born 4 April 1989), also known simply as KENJI, is a Japanese kickboxer and former professional boxer. He is the 2017 K-1 Super Bantamweight Grand Prix finalist, the 2011 RISE Bantamweight champion and the 2007 NJKF Flyweight champion.
Hiroki Nakajima (中島 弘貴, born July 5, 1988) in Tokyo, Japan is a Japanese welterweight kickboxer fighting out of Tokyo…Hiroki Nakajima (中島 弘貴, born July 5, 1988) in Tokyo, Japan is a Japanese welterweight kickboxer fighting out of Tokyo, Japan for the Bungeling Bay gym. He is the 2009 Krush middleweight tournament champion and 2010 K-1 World MAX Japan runner up.
Yuta Kubo (Japanese: 久保優太, Kubo Yuta; born October 19, 1987) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former kickboxer…Yuta Kubo (Japanese: 久保優太, Kubo Yuta; born October 19, 1987) is a Japanese mixed martial artist and former kickboxer, currently competing in the featherweight division of Rizin Fighting Federation. As a professional kickboxer, Kubo is the former Krush and K-1 welterweight (-67.5 kg) champion. Kubo was furthermore the 2011 K-1 World MAX Lightweight (-63 kg) Japan Tournament winner, 2013 Krush Welterweight (-67.5 kg) Grand Prix winner, 2013 Glory 65kg Slam Tournament Winner, and the 2017 K-1 World GP Welterweight (-67.5 kg) World Grand Prix Winner. Combat Press ranked him as a top ten featherweight kickboxer in the world between September 2014 and July 2016, as well as between April and July 2020.
Ryoichi Taguchi (田口 良一, Taguchi Ryōichi; born 1 December 1986) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed…Ryoichi Taguchi (田口 良一, Taguchi Ryōichi; born 1 December 1986) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 2006 to 2019. He was a unified light-flyweight world champion, having held the WBA title from 2014 to 2018 and the IBF and Ring magazine titles from 2017 to 2018.
Yuki Goto (後藤 祐樹, Gotō Yūki; born July 10, 1986) is a Japanese YouTuber, politician, and former singer. In 2000, while…Yuki Goto (後藤 祐樹, Gotō Yūki; born July 10, 1986) is a Japanese YouTuber, politician, and former singer. In 2000, while he was in middle school, he joined the group EE Jump as their lead rapper under the stage name Yuki (ユウキ; stylized as YUKI). He is the younger brother of singer and former Morning Musume member Maki Goto. Throughout the 2000s, Goto was involved in several scandals, two of which led to EE Jump's disbandment and his retirement from music. In 2007, he was arrested for theft and was sentenced to five and half years in prison. After being released in 2013, Goto made minor media appearances before joining YouTube in 2021 and signing a contract with Excelling to handle his entertainment activities. In addition to Goto's YouTube activities, he was elected as a member of the Yachimata City Council in 2023.
Kengo Shimizu (清水 賢吾, Shimizu Kengo; born on November 17, 1983), is a Japanese middleweight kickboxer competing in…Kengo Shimizu (清水 賢吾, Shimizu Kengo; born on November 17, 1983), is a Japanese middleweight kickboxer competing in RISE. He is the former SHOOTBOXING and RISE Heavyweight champion.
Nihito Arakawa (荒川 仁人, Arakawa Nihito; born 23 December 1981 in Musashino, Tokyo, Japan) is a professional boxer…Nihito Arakawa (荒川 仁人, Arakawa Nihito; born 23 December 1981 in Musashino, Tokyo, Japan) is a professional boxer nicknamed "Japanese Rocky". He made his mark in the twelve-round lightweight slugfest against Omar Figueroa in July 2013, that earned him the nickname after the film Rocky. "The Japanese lefty gained a zillion fans with his rumble last year against Figueroa," TheSweetScience.com's Michael Woods said in 2014. He is the former Japanese and OPBF (Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation) lightweight champion.
Koji Yoshimoto (Japanese: 吉本光志, Yoshimoto Koji; born February 6, 1980) is a Japanese retired kickboxer and mixed…Koji Yoshimoto (Japanese: 吉本光志, Yoshimoto Koji; born February 6, 1980) is a Japanese retired kickboxer and mixed martial artist. A professional competitor between 2000 and 2016, Yoshimoto held the RISE super lightweight title and was the 2007 Pancrase Neo Blood Featherweight Tournament winner.
Naoki Ishikawa (Japanese: 石川直生, Hepburn: Ishikawa Naoki; born April 18, 1989) is a Japanese retired kickboxer, who…Naoki Ishikawa (Japanese: 石川直生, Hepburn: Ishikawa Naoki; born April 18, 1989) is a Japanese retired kickboxer, who competed in the super featherweight division of AJKF, where he was the Super Featherweight champion, as well as in the super featherweight and lightweight divisions of Krush.
Hiroki Ishii (石井 宏樹, Ishii Hiroki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese lightweight kickboxer. He won the championship…Hiroki Ishii (石井 宏樹, Ishii Hiroki; born January 16, 1979) is a Japanese lightweight kickboxer. He won the championship of Rajadamnern Stadium in Muay Thai at Super lightweight. His entrance music is Spente Le Stelle.
Masaaki Kato (加藤 正明, Kato Masaaki; born December 22, 1958) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the…Masaaki Kato (加藤 正明, Kato Masaaki; born December 22, 1958) is a former Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.
Ryuji Kajiwara (born 9 December 1976) is a Japanese former professional kickboxer and boxer. He is the head trainer of…Ryuji Kajiwara (born 9 December 1976) is a Japanese former professional kickboxer and boxer. He is the head trainer of K-1 Gym Headquarters Team Pegasus and member of the K-1 Japan Group executive committee. In 2012 he was ranked #7 lightweight in the world by Liverkick.
Akihiro Gono (Japanese: 郷野聡寛, Gōno Akihiro) (born October 7, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently…Akihiro Gono (Japanese: 郷野聡寛, Gōno Akihiro) (born October 7, 1974) is a Japanese mixed martial artist currently competing in the Lightweight division. A professional competitor since 1994, he is best known for his clever and deceptive fighting style, and for his flashy ring entrances. Gono has competed for the UFC, PRIDE Fighting Championships, Pancrase, the World Series of Fighting, DEEP, World Victory Road, Shooto, Bellator, and also participated in the Dynamite!! 2009 event.
Akeomi Nitta (新田明臣, born July 23, 1973) is a Japanese kickboxer. He is one of Japan's kickboxers in the welterweight…Akeomi Nitta (新田明臣, born July 23, 1973) is a Japanese kickboxer. He is one of Japan's kickboxers in the welterweight division.
Yōsuke "Yōsukezan" Nishijima (西島 洋介, Nishijima Yōsuke; born May 15, 1973) is a Japanese professional boxer who has also…Yōsuke "Yōsukezan" Nishijima (西島 洋介, Nishijima Yōsuke; born May 15, 1973) is a Japanese professional boxer who has also competed in kickboxing and mixed martial arts.
Rumi Kazama (風間 ルミ, Kazama Rumi; November 28, 1965 – September 21, 2021) was a Japanese professional wrestler and…Rumi Kazama (風間 ルミ, Kazama Rumi; November 28, 1965 – September 21, 2021) was a Japanese professional wrestler and promoter. Along with Shinobu Kandori, she co-founded the promotion Ladies Legend Pro-Wrestling.
Kōji Kobayashi (小林 光二, Kobayashi Kōji; born August 27, 1957) is a retired Japanese professional boxer who is a former…Kōji Kobayashi (小林 光二, Kobayashi Kōji; born August 27, 1957) is a retired Japanese professional boxer who is a former WBC and lineal flyweight champion.
Hiroyuki Ebihara (海老原 博幸, Ebihara Hiroyuki; March 26, 1940 – April 20, 1991) was a Japanese former professional boxer…Hiroyuki Ebihara (海老原 博幸, Ebihara Hiroyuki; March 26, 1940 – April 20, 1991) was a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1959 to 1969. He held the WBA, WBC, and The Ring flyweight titles from 1963 to 1964 and the WBA flyweight title again in 1969. Yuri Arbachakov used the ring name Yuri Ebihara in honor of him and the Pokémon Ebiwalar (エビワラー, Ebiwarā), known as Hitmonchan in English, is named after him.
Yasuyuki Ito (伊藤 靖倖, Itō Yasuyuki; born 27 August 1938) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's lightweight event…Yasuyuki Ito (伊藤 靖倖, Itō Yasuyuki; born 27 August 1938) is a Japanese boxer. He competed in the men's lightweight event at the 1960 Summer Olympics. At the 1960 Summer Olympics, he defeated Abdel Kader Gangani of Morocco, before losing to Ferenc Kellner of Hungary.
Yoshio Shirai (白井 義男, Shirai Yoshio; November 23, 1923 – December 26, 2003) was a professional boxer from Tokyo, Japan.…Yoshio Shirai (白井 義男, Shirai Yoshio; November 23, 1923 – December 26, 2003) was a professional boxer from Tokyo, Japan. He won the Undisputed Flyweight Championship in 1952, becoming the first Japanese boxer to win a world title.
Momo Koseki (小関桃, Koseki Momo; born 31 July 1982) is a Japanese former professional boxer. She is a two-weight world…Momo Koseki (小関桃, Koseki Momo; born 31 July 1982) is a Japanese former professional boxer. She is a two-weight world champion, having held the WBC female atomweight title from 2008 to 2015; the WBA female atomweight title in 2015; and the WBC female strawweight title in 2017. Koseki made a record-breaking seventeen consecutive title defenses of her WBC atomweight title. Koseki is a member of the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.
Masao Ohba (大場政夫, Ōba Masao; October 21, 1949 – January 25, 1973) was a Japanese professional boxer. He became the WBA…Masao Ohba (大場政夫, Ōba Masao; October 21, 1949 – January 25, 1973) was a Japanese professional boxer. He became the WBA flyweight World Champion on October 22, 1970, defeating the reigning champion Berkrerk Chartvanchai in Tokyo and retained the championship for an impressive 5 title straight defenses. He died in a car accident at 23, still holding his world title. He was trained by Isamu Kuwata.He is Soh Ohba's uncle. Soh's adoptive father is Masao's younger brother, Isaburo Ohba, who is 5 years younger than him. Since 1994, Isaburo has served as the chairman of the Japan Renewal Party Yokohama City Rental Supporting Members Liaison Committee, the assistant secretary general of the New Frontier Party (Japan)(NFP) Kanagawa Prefectural Union, and a temporary staff member of the NFP successor party.
