Sho Ishida

Professional Career

 

Sho Ishida, a prominent figure in the world of boxing, began his professional career with a resounding victory. On February 8, 2009, at the IMP Hall in Osaka, Ishida made his debut by knocking out Taweesak Petchteerapong in the first round. This emphatic start laid the foundation for a series of impressive performances. In his second fight, he secured a unanimous decision win against Kohei Yamakawa on April 12, 2009, at the Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, showcasing his skill and determination.

 

As Ishida continued to build his career, he faced increasingly challenging opponents. Notably, on July 26, 2009, he defeated Shinichiro Morikawa via unanimous decision, followed by another unanimous decision victory over Yoshihiro Sasaki on December 29, 2009. His ability to consistently outbox his opponents established him as a rising star in the super flyweight division. Ishida’s early career was characterized by his technical prowess and ability to dominate in the ring, as evidenced by his series of wins throughout 2010 and 2011, including notable victories over Yuki Takahashi and Edwin Tumbaga.

 

In 2014, Ishida captured the Japanese super flyweight title by defeating Yohei Tobe via unanimous decision at Korakuen Hall. He successfully defended this title multiple times, solidifying his position as a top contender in Japan. One of his significant defenses came on April 22, 2015, when he narrowly defeated Taiki Eto by split decision. Ishida’s reign continued with decisive wins over Hayato Kimura and Ryuta Otsuka, demonstrating his dominance in the super flyweight division. Ishida’s international breakthrough came when he challenged Khalid Yafai for the WBA world super flyweight title on October 28, 2017, at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff. Despite a valiant effort, Ishida lost by unanimous decision, marking a pivotal moment in his career. Undeterred, he rebounded with a series of wins, including a knockout victory over Ratchanon Sawangsoda in 2018 and a unanimous decision win against Warlito Parrenas in December of the same year.

 

In 2020, Ishida faced a significant challenge against Israel Gonzalez but lost by split decision. However, he continued to persevere, securing victories over Toshiya Ishii and Carlo Demecillo. His determination was evident as he maintained a high level of performance, culminating in a split decision win over Victor Santillan on June 11, 2023, at the Sumiyoshi Ward Center in Osaka. Ishida’s career has been marked by his resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks. On December 10, 2023, he achieved a notable win by stopping James Pagaling in the third round at the EDION Arena Osaka. However, in his latest bout on May 6, 2024, he faced Takuma Inoue for the WBA world bantamweight title at the Tokyo Dome, losing by unanimous decision.