Takahiro Ao

Over the past few years a sizable number of Western boxing fans have started to watch more and more fights and fighters from the East. This has helped us (boxing fans) not only watch the likes of fading veterans like Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (87-4-2, 46) but also see the new emerging fighters such as Rysuke Iwasa (12-1, 9) as well as current champions, such as the former WBC Super Featherweight champion Takahiro Ao (23-3-1, 10).

The 28 year Ao made his professional debut way back in 2003 and after just 15 fights (all wins) over 3 and a half years in the sport he had risen to becoming the Japanese Featherweight champion defeating Koji Umetsu.

As the Japanese Featherweight champion, Ao made 3 title defenses including a draw as he attempted to unify his title with the OPBF Featherweight title (then held by the much more experienced, and very good Hiroyuki Enoki) to move his record to 16-0-1 (8). As well as being the Japanese champion however Ao was also a very highly ranked fighter with both the WBA and the WBC.

Following the draw with Enoki, Ao managed to get his first world title bout as he faced Mexican veteran Oscar Larios (who was taking part in his 70th professional contest!) in a bout for the WBC title. It was a big step up in class for Ao, however the Japanese fighter did put on a solid showing dropping Larios in the fourth round before losing a close split decision.

Ao's first bout with Larios was enough to earn him a rematch and just 5 months after suffering his first loss, Ao claimed the WBC Featherweight title and earned revenge by claiming a clear decision over Larios. Sadly however for Ao his title reign was short lived with Elio Rojas going over to Japan and annexing the title from Ao.

Following the loss to Rojas, Ao swiftly moved up a division to Super Featherweight. As a Super Featherweight Ao made an immediate impact by defeating former world title challengers Feider Viloria (UD10) and Whyber Garcia (TKO8). Following those victories he was granted a shot at the WBC Super Featherweight world champion Vitali Tajbert.

Tajbert, a well respected former amateur star had turned professional in 2005 after winning an Olympic Bronze medal in 2004 and a Gold medal at the 2005 Military World Championships. As a professional he had advanced his record swiftly to 20-1 (6) suffering his sole loss to talented Belorussian Sergey Gulyakevich. Following the loss to Gulyakevich he had gone on to win the Interim WBC Super Featherweight title (2009), before being promoted to the full champion in 2010.

Ao was impressive against the light punching (though highly skilled) Tajbert and managed to drop Tajbert in round 3 before taking a clear decision to claim his second divisional world title.

Since claiming the WBC Super Featherweight title in November 2010 Ao has defended his belt 3 times. The first of those came against former interim champion Humberto Mauro Gutierrez (KO4) who was stopped after a beautiful body shot by an impressive looking Ao. Despite looking great in his first defense Ao really struggled in his second defense, as he struggled to a split decision victory over Italian Devis Boschiero (who would later become the European champion). Most recently Ao defeated the wonderfully named Thia Terdsak Kokietgym (UD12).

Sadly for Ao he recently lost his world title whilst attempting his 4th successful title defense. He was surprisingly upset by Mexican veteran Gamaliel Diaz (37-9-2, 17). It was Diaz's 3rd notable upset after also beating Robert Guerrero and Elio Rojas earlier in his career, though it was a result that said more about Ao, than Diaz as the Japanese fighter was simply too inactive to win the rounds.