Masayuki Kuroda Took Japanese Championships Into Two
Masayuki Kuroda challenged Moruti Mthalane for the IBF flyweight championship at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on May 13, 2019. Mthalane retained the belt by unanimous decision over twelve rounds.
National titles and world opportunities
Kuroda spent his professional career with Kawasaki Nitta Boxing Gym, beginning in 2005. He held Japanese championships at light flyweight and flyweight.
His first world-title opportunity came against WBA flyweight champion Juan Carlos Reveco in Kawasaki in 2013. Reveco won by decision. Six years later, Kuroda faced Mthalane, whose combinations and sustained pressure secured another decision victory for the defending champion.
The final comeback and retirement
Kuroda returned from a prolonged absence against Kantaro Juri in January 2022, losing an eight-round decision at Korakuen Hall. It became his final professional appearance.
A retirement ceremony followed at the same venue on October 18, 2022. Kuroda finished with thirty wins, nine defeats and three draws, including sixteen knockout victories.
His only professional appearance outside Japan came in Mexico City in 2015, when Mario Andrade defeated him over eight rounds. Kuroda also worked extensively as a sparring partner for Naoya Inoue. An elbow tendon injury sustained during sparring in October 2020 required surgery, adding another obstacle before his eventual return against Juri. His farewell marked the end of seventeen years with the Kawasaki gym.
Sources
- IOL: Mthalane–Kuroda championship report
- NotiFight: Kuroda’s retirement ceremony, career record and final bout
