ISKA is extremely pleased to announce that MASATO Kobayashi will be inducted into the ISKA Modern Hall of Fame as part of our inaugural class of “LEGENDARY CHAMPIONS”. He will be honored on Sunday, March 24th at Peter Aerts’ LEGENDS show in Yokohma, Japan.
Masato Kobayashi was born in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture Japan on March 10, 1979. In 1994, when he was 15 years old, he joined Yonekura Boxing Gym. After failing his test for a professional boxers’ license, he left the gym. When he was 17 years old, he joined Fuji Gym and started learning kickboxing, because he thought kickboxing was useful for street fighting. After passing the exam for professional kickboxing, he became a professional kickboxer under All Japan Kickboxing Federation (AJKF). Before his first fight, Shigeo Kato, the owner of Fuji gym, tried to name him “Fuji Sankaizan” (藤 山海山) for his ring name, but was rejected. Thereupon, Kato suggested another ring name Masato (魔裟斗), “the homonym term of Masato (雅人)”. He accepted that name but he did not like it because it gave a bad impression as its script was similar to Japanese motorcycle gang names.
Masato made his professional debut on March 23, 1997, against Hutoshi Takehara, winning by KO in the first round. After a string of significant victories, it was in 2000 that he began managing his own career with his team, “Silver Wolf”. After signing with K-1, on November 1st of that year Masato was given the opportunity to challnge Morad Sari from France for his ISKA Oriental Rules World Title and won knockout with a left hook in the 2nd Round.
Masato went on to claim K-1 World Max Championship titles four separate times between 2002 and 2008 and champion runner up recognition twice. With a final fight record of 55 wins, only 6 losses and 2 draws his career achievements include victories of extraordinary fighters like, Eval Denton, Kongnap Sor. Chalermsak, Melchor Menor, Duane Ludwig, Melvin Murray, Gehki Sudo, Alber Kraus, Buakaw Por. Pramuk and Takyuki Kohirumaki.
It is with great pride that we honor Masato Kobayashi and welcome him as a member of our inaugural class of LEGENDARY CHAMPIONS into the ISKA Modern Hall of Fame.
