Miyo Yoshida

Miyo “Miyo Musashi” Yoshida is a Japanese professional boxer from Kagoshima who built her career across multiple weight classes and became a three-time world champion. Unlike many elite fighters, Yoshida did not begin boxing as a child. She first entered martial arts in her twenties, later competing in kickboxing and mixed martial arts before making the switch to boxing and turning professional in 2014.

Yoshida quickly established herself in Japan, winning the Japanese female bantamweight title in 2017 and the OPBF bantamweight title the following year. In 2019, she captured her first world championship, defeating Casey Morton by unanimous decision for the vacant WBO junior-bantamweight title. She successfully defended the belt before losing it to Tomoko Okuda in 2020. Yoshida regained the title in their 2021 rematch, winning by split decision, but lost it again the following year to Tamao Ozawa.

Yoshida later moved her career to the United States, establishing a training base in New York at the historic Gleason’s Gym. The move eventually led to the biggest win of her career. In December 2023, she traveled to San Francisco and defeated Ebanie Bridges by unanimous decision to capture the IBF bantamweight world title. Yoshida made one defense before losing the championship to Shurretta Metcalf by unanimous decision in 2024.

Known for her toughness, experience and willingness to take on established opposition, Yoshida has spent her career moving between super flyweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight. She has repeatedly rebuilt after setbacks and won world titles in different stages of her career, making her one of the more accomplished Japanese female fighters of her era.