Begin Yoshioka (吉岡 ビギン, born 12 June 2000) is a Japanese kickboxer, currently signed with K-1. He is the former Krush Bantamweight champion.[2]
He was ranked the #10 flyweight according to Combat Press between September 2020[3] and October 2020.[4]
Kickboxing career
Early career
He suffered the only loss of his early professional career to Naoki Yamada, during Hoost Cup Kings Kyoto 4, losing the bout by majority decision.[5]
He fought three months later at Hoost Cup Kings Nagoya 4, being scheduled to face Kaito Komaki. The fight was ruled a majority draw.[6]
Yoshioka was scheduled to fight Koki during Krush 112.[7] He won the fight by a unanimous decision.[8]
Krush
Krush Bantamweight title reign
He was scheduled to fight Koji Ikeda, in the first round of the Krush Bantamweight tournament, at Krush 118 on October 17, 2020.[9] He won the fight by a split decision.[10] Advancing to the semifinals, Yoshioka was scheduled to fight Toma Kuroda.[11] He defeated Kuroda by unanimous decision,[12] and faced Mao Hashimoto in the final bout of the tournament. The fight went into an extra round, after which Yoshioka won a split decision.[2]
He was scheduled to make his first title defense against Miburo Kazuki, at Krush 123 on March 27, 2021.[13] As Yohioka came into the fight 1.3kg over the weight limit, he was deducted two points at the start of the bout and fought with heavier gloves.[14] He lost by majority decision.[15]
Krush Super Bantamweight tournament
Yoshioka took part in the Krush Super Bantamweight tournament, held to crown a new champion. He was scheduled to face Riamu at Krush 128, on August 21, 2021, in the tournament quarterfinals.[16] Yoshioka had trouble making weight for the bout, as he came in 1.3kg over the super bantamweight limit on his first weigh-in.[17] He was unable to make weight for the second weight in as well, coming in .5kg over the limit. As a result, Yoshioka was forced to fight with 10 oz gloves instead of the 8 oz gloves, was given an automatic 1 point deduction at the beginning of the fight, and was deducted 20% from his fight purse.[18] Yoshioka lost the fight by unanimous decision.[19]
Continued Super Bantamweight career
Yoshioka was booked to face Lyra Nagasaki at Krush 137 on May 21, 2022.[20] He lost the fight by a second-round knockout.[21]
Yoshioka faced the one-time KNOCK OUT RED Super Flyweight champion Yusei Shirahata at Krush.146 on February 25, 2023.[22] He lost the fight by majority decision.[23]
Loses the Krush Bantamweight Championship. Yoshioka came in 1.3kg over the limit. He had to wear 10oz gloves and was deducted 2 points at the beginning of the fight.
