Yota Sato: record, next fight and profile →
By Jake Donovan - One month after watching his super flyweight title reign come to an end, Yota Sato has decided to also end his days as a prize fighter. The 29-year old announced his retirement Thursday afternoon in his native Tokyo.
In an intense fight, Thailand slugger Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (19-3-1, 18 KO's) became the new WBC Super Flyweight world champion by knocking out Japanese Yota Sato (26-3-1, 12 KO's) on Friday (May 3) at Stadium Khonmuangsri in the northeastern city of Si Sa Ket, Kingdom of Thailand.
WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Yota Sato (26-2-1, 12 KO’s) of Japan and Thailand challenger Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (18-3-1, 17 KO’s) weighted-in 115 lbs in their first try at the scale, clearing the way for their world title clash tomorrow at Khonmuangsri Stadium in the northeastern city of Si Sa Ket, Kingdom of Thailand.
Thailand vs Japan in world title boxing once again. The storied friendly boxing rivalry between the Thailand and Japan gets a new exciting chapter when hard-hitting world-rated Thai fighter Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (18-3-1, 17 KO’s) challenges tall speedster WBC Super Flyweight World Champion Yota Sato (26-2-1, 12 KO’s) of Japan this Friday (May 3) at Khonmuangsri Stadium in Si Sa Ket, Kingdom of Thailand.
According to sources in Japan, WBC super flyweight champ Yota Sato (26-2-1, 12 KOs) will make the third defense of the title against former beltholder Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (17-3-1, 16 KOs) in Thailand on May 3. Sato captured the title from Suriyan Sor Rungvisai in March of last year. It should be noted that no Japanese champion has been able to win in Thailand, and that statistic places a lot of pressure on Sato.
By Jake Donovan - Further proof that the election isn't over until all of the ballots are counted came in undercard action. Unheralded fringe contender Kohei Kono scored a major upset - officially and visually - with a stunning fourth round stoppage of Tepparith Kokeitgym to claim a piece of the 115 lb. crown. Kono entered the fight riding a modest two-fight win streak after having lost three in a row. Meanwhile, Kokeitgym was gaining traction on incumbent titlist Omar Narvaez in discussion for the best 115 lb. fighter in the world. Any argument in favor of the 24-year old is now moot, after suffering three knockdowns en route to being stopped at 2:08 of round four in the evening's chief support.
On December 31, Japan will have a historic night of boxing - as a total of five world championships will be at stake betwene two cards - three in Tokyo and two in Osaka. The JBC (Japan Boxing Commission) has stated that this is the first time in Japanese boxing history where five world championships were being defended on the same day.
Tepparith Singwancha has set his sights on a unification with WBC champion Yota Sato (25-2, 12KOs). Singwancha retained his WBA super flyweight title when he beat former champion Nobuo Nashiro in Osaka, Japan. Two judges scored the bout 115-113 and 115-114 in favor of Thailand’s Tepparith, 23. The other judge had it even at 114-114.
WBA super flyweight champion Tepparith Kokietgym wants to fight WBC titleholder Yota Sato of Japan in a unification bout.
According to reports emanating from Japan, the infamous Kameda family have set their sights on WBC super flyweight king Yota Sato, having issued a challenge to the flashy champion.