Keita Obara
小原佳太
Born (1986-11-12) 12 November 1986
Kitakami, Iwate, Japan
NationalityJapanese
Statistics
Weight(s)
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
Reach72+1⁄2 in (184 cm)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights32
Wins26
Wins by KO23
Losses5
Draws1

Keita Obara (小原佳太, Ohara Keita, born 12 November 1986) is a Japanese professional boxer who challenged for the IBF and IBO light-welterweight titles in 2016. At regional level he held the WBC-OPBF light-welterweight title from 2014 to 2015 and the WBO Asia Pacific welterweight title twice between 2017 and 2018.

Professional career

Early career

Obara made his professional debut on 9 August 2010, losing via fifth-round technical knockout (TKO) in a six-round bout against Kazuyoshi Kumano at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.[2]

After compiling a record of 7–1 (6 KOs) he defeated Hayato Hokazono via fourth-round knockout (KO), capturing the vacant Japanese light-welterweight title on 8 April 2013 at the Korakuen Hall.[3] He went on to successfully defend the title twice that year – a third-round KO against So Takenaka in August[4] and a ninth-round TKO against Tetsuya Hasunuma in December[5] – before defeating Jay Solmiano on 14 April 2014 at the Korakuen Hall, capturing the vacant WBC-OPBF light-welterweight title via fourth-round KO.[6]

He successfully defended the title twice along with two victories in non-title fights, winning all by stoppage, before making his American debut against Walter Castillo on 7 November 2015 at Miccosukee Resort & Gaming in Miami, Florida. The bout served as an IBF light-welterweight title eliminator, with the winner being in line to face newly crowned IBF champion Eduard Troyanovsky. In what some described as a controversial decision,[7][8] the contest ended in a majority draw, with one judge scoring the bout 115–113 in favour of Obara while the other two scored it even at 114–114.[9]

World title challenge

Following the draw with Castillo, the IBF ordered an immediate rematch to determine Troyanovsky's mandatory challenger. The IBF set a purse bid for Obara and Castillo to take place on 29 December, with the bid being postponed as both sides were close to agreeing a deal.[10][11] After Castillo eventually refused the rematch,[12] Obara defeated Sin Maneesri with a first-round TKO in a stay-busy fight in April 2016[13] before facing Troyanovsky as the IBF mandatory challenger. The bout took place on 9 September 2016 at the Soviet Wings Sport Palace in Moscow, Russia, with Troyanovsky's lightly regarded IBO light-welterweight title also on the line. In a short but action packed contest, Obara staggered the champion in the first round with a right hand but was unable to capitalise and score a knockdown. Troyanovsky attacked with more intensity in the second, landing a right hand to stagger Obara. The champion followed up with a flurry of punches, pinning Obara against the ropes before knocking him down with a right hand, sending Obara through the ropes and onto the judges' table. Obara managed to get back into the ring, only to be met by a sustained attack from the champion, prompting referee Michael Ortega to step in and call off the bout, awarding Troyanovsky a second-round TKO victory. The loss would be the second of Obara's career, and the first since losing his professional debut six years prior.[14]

Move to welterweight

Following the loss to Troyanovsky, Obara moved up to welterweight. His first fight at the weight was an eight-round UD victory against Larry Siwu in April 2017.[15] In his next fight he defeated Narong Bunchan, capturing the vacant WBO Asia Pacific welterweight title by second-round TKO on 10 August 2017 at the Korakuen Hall.[16] He defended the title with a fifth-round KO against Shusaku Fujinaka in December[17] before facing Alvin Lagumbay on 12 April 2018 at the Korakuen Hall. In a rare occurrence, a double knockdown was scored in the second round after both fighters landed hard left hooks at the same time. Lagumbay rose to his feet appearing unhurt while Obara struggled to stand. Eventually making it to his feet on unsteady legs, the referee decided to wave off the fight, awarding Lagumbay the WBO Asia Pacific title via second round TKO and handing Obara the third defeat of his career. The loss was considered an upset as Lagumbay had moved up multiple weight classes for the fight while Obara was ranked No. 6 by the WBO and No. 8 by the IBF.[18][19] An immediate rematch was made, taking place at the same venue on 9 August 2018. Obara would get his revenge, regaining the title with a third-round TKO.[20]

His next fight was a final eliminator for the IBF welterweight title, with the winner becoming the mandatory challenger to Errol Spence Jr. The bout took place on 30 March 2019 at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.[21] Suffering the fourth defeat of his career, Obara lost by UD over twelve rounds, with the judges' scorecards reading 118–110, 117–111 and 115–113.[22]

He bounced back from defeat with stoppage wins against Yosmar Kefi in June[23] and Toshiro Tarumi in October,[24] before defeating Yuki Nagano on 1 February 2020 at the Korakuen Hall to capture the Japanese welterweight title.[25]

Obara made his first Japanese welterweight title defense against Shoki Sakai on 8 April 2021. He won the fight by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the fight 96–94 in his favor.[26] Obara was booked to make his second title defense against Masaya Tamayama on 9 December 2021. He won the fight by a fifth-round technical knockout, stopping Tamayama with a right uppercut at the 2:44 minute mark of the round.[27] Obara is scheduled to make his third title defense against Yuki Nagano on 12 April 2022. The bout will be a rematch of their February 2020 meeting, which Obara won by a seventh-round stoppage.[28]

Professional boxing record

30 fights 25 wins 4 losses
By knockout 22 3
By decision 3 1
Draws 1
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
30 Win 25–4–1 Masaya Tamayama TKO 5 (10), 2:44 9 Dec 2021 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese welterweight title
29 Win 24–4–1 Shoki Sakai UD 10 8 Apr 2021 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese welterweight title
28 Win 23–4–1 Yuki Nagano TKO 7 (10), 2:39 1 Feb 2020 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won Japanese welterweight title
27 Win 22–4–1 Toshiro Tarumi TKO 4 (8), 2:59 26 Oct 2019 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
26 Win 21–4–1 Yosmar Kefi TKO 4 (10), 0:58 13 Jun 2019 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
25 Loss 20–4–1 Kudratillo Abdukakhorov UD 12 30 Mar 2019 2300 Arena, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, US
24 Win 20–3–1 Alvin Lagumbay TKO 3 (12), 1:08 9 Aug 2018 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won WBO Asia Pacific welterweight title
23 Loss 19–3–1 Alvin Lagumbay KO 2 (12), 2:36 12 Apr 2018 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Lost WBO Asia Pacific welterweight title
22 Win 19–2–1 Shusaku Fujinaka KO 5 (12), 1:29 14 Dec 2017 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBO Asia Pacific welterweight title
21 Win 18–2–1 Narong Bunchan TKO 2 (12), 2:43 10 Aug 2017 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant WBO Asia Pacific welterweight title
20 Win 17–2–1 Larry Siwu UD 8 13 Apr 2017 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
19 Loss 16–2–1 Eduard Troyanovsky TKO 2 (12), 1:35 9 Sep 2016 Soviet Wings Sport Palace, Moscow, Russia For IBF, and IBO light-welterweight titles
18 Win 16–1–1 Sin Maneesri TKO 1 (8), 2:31 14 Apr 2016 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
17 Draw 15–1–1 Walter Castillo MD 12 7 Nov 2015 Miccosukee Resort & Gaming, Miami, Florida, US
16 Win 15–1 Praruehat Chaisuk KO 3 (10), 2:06 10 Aug 2015 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
15 Win 14–1 Yuya Okazaki TKO 6 (12), 1:21 13 Apr 2015 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBC-OPBF light-welterweight title
14 Win 13–1 Rodel Wenceslao TKO 5 (10), 1:36 8 Dec 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
13 Win 12–1 Shinya Iwabuchi TKO 12 (12), 0:19 11 Aug 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBC-OPBF light-welterweight title
12 Win 11–1 Jay Solmiano KO 4 (12), 1:50 14 Apr 2014 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant WBC-OPBF light-welterweight title
11 Win 10–1 Tetsuya Hasunuma TKO 9 (10), 1:42 9 Dec 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese light-welterweight title
10 Win 9–1 So Takenaka KO 3 (10), 2:34 25 Aug 2013 Ariake Colosseum, Tokyo, Japan Retained Japanese light-welterweight title
9 Win 8–1 Hayato Hokazono KO 4 (10), 2:00 8 Apr 2013 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan Won vacant Japanese light-welterweight title
8 Win 7–1 Hayato Hokazono TKO 8 (10), 0:33 14 Nov 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7 Win 6–1 Kazuya Maruki TKO 8 (8), 1:25 13 Aug 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
6 Win 5–1 Yuichi Ideta TKO 6 (8), 1:17 30 Mar 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
5 Win 4–1 Kengo Nagashima TKO 2 (8), 2:05 27 Jan 2012 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
4 Win 3–1 Kota Oguchi TKO 3 (8), 2:00 10 Oct 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
3 Win 2–1 Daichi Sakoda TD 5 (6), 0:11 30 May 2011 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2 Win 1–1 Makoto Mori TKO 2 (6), 1:50 13 Dec 2010 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
1 Loss 0–1 Kazuyoshi Kumano TKO 5 (6), 1:06 9 Aug 2010 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan

References

  1. ↑ "Boxing record for Keita Obara
    小原佳太"    . BoxRec.
  2. ↑ "BoxRec: Keita Obara vs. Kazuyoshi Kumano". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  3. ↑ Armit, Eric (9 April 2013). "The Past Week in Action". BoxeoMundial- La Meca del Boxeo. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  4. ↑ "BoxRec: Keita Obara vs. So Takenaka". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  5. ↑ "BoxRec: Keita Obara vs. Tetsuya Hasunuma". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  6. ↑ Siasat, JM (15 April 2014). "Keita Obara Stops Jay Solmiano in Four Rounds". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  7. ↑ "Keita Obara vacates OPBF title, rematch with Walter Castillo is likely to come in Spring!". ASIAN BOXING. 10 January 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  8. ↑ "HIGHLIGHTS: Walter Castillo-Keita Obara ends in controversial draw". NBC Sports. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  9. ↑ Donovan, Jake (8 November 2015). "Obara Stunned By Draw, Regrets Not Getting a KO". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  10. ↑ Donovan, Jake (29 December 2015). "Obara-Castillo Rematch Looms As Purse Bid Postponed". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  11. ↑ Rafael, Dan (30 December 2015). "Pedraza to defend title against Smith in New York". ESPN.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  12. ↑ "Keita Obara Vs Eduard Troyanovsky set for September 9th!". ASIAN BOXING. 13 July 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  13. ↑ "BoxRec: Keita Obara vs. Sin Maneesri". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  14. ↑ Sukachev, Alexey (9 September 2016). "Eduard Troyanovsky Blasts Out Keita Obara in Two Rounds". BoxingScene.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  15. ↑ "BoxRec: Keita Obara vs. Larry Siwu". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  16. ↑ "BoxRec: Keita Obara vs. Narong Bunchan". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  17. ↑ Koizumi, Joe (18 December 2017). "Boxing News: Valentine wins Japanese 140lb belt; Obara keeps WBO ASPAC 147lb title » June 6, 2020". fightnews.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  18. ↑ Songalia, Ryan (13 April 2018). "Alvin Lagumbay scores upset KO of Keita Obara on rare double knockdown". The Ring. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  19. ↑ Koizumi, Joi (13 April 2018). "Boxing News: Filipino Lagumbay dethrones WBO#6 Obara after double knockdown » June 6, 2020". fightnews.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  20. ↑ Armit, Eric (13 August 2018). "Revenge is sweet for Keita Obara". Ring News 24. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  21. ↑ Wainwright, Anson (28 March 2019). "Kudratillo Abdukakhorov comes to America". The Ring. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  22. ↑ Christ, Scott (30 March 2019). "Kudratillo Abdukakhorov wins IBF eliminator over Keita Obara". www.badlefthook.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  23. ↑ Adachi, Hisao (13 June 2019). "Keita Obara noqueó en cuatro a Yosmar Kefi en Japón". NotiFight (in European Spanish). Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  24. ↑ "BoxRec: Keita Obara vs. Toshiro Tarumi". boxrec.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  25. ↑ Koizumi, Joe (4 February 2020). "Boxing News: IBF#4 Obara halts Nagano, wins Japanese 147lb belt » June 6, 2020". fightnews.com. Retrieved 6 June 2020.
  26. ↑ "小原佳太が判定勝ち 日本ウェルター級初防衛 坂井祥紀は健闘及ばず". boxingnews.jp. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  27. ↑ "【ボクシング】小原佳太がTKOで日本V２「来年は勝負かけたい」". news.yahoo.co.jp. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
  28. ↑ "小原佳太が永野祐樹と４月１２日にＶ３戦 輪島功一さんの孫・磯谷大心もプロ２戦目". hochi.news. Retrieved 11 February 2022.
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