Showdown between Todaka and Nago announced
A press conference was held in Tokyo on September 6 to officially announce a match-up of the WBA super flyweight championship between defending champion Hideki Todaka and No. 5-ranked Akihiko Nago, which will be held at Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena on November 7. This will be the tenth world championship fought between Japanese boxers.
Nago, southpaw hard-hitter, has been known as one of the popular prospects to be a world champion with an unblemished record of 15 wins including 11 KOs. His manager is former WBA light flyweight champion Yoko Gushiken who has a record of 13 consecutive title defenses that has not been surpassed by any other boxers in Japan.(9/7/99)
Tatsuyoshi hangs his gloves for good
Former WBC bantamweight champion Joichiro Tatsuyoshi remarked in a press conference that he will retire from boxing on August 30, the day followed by his devastating loss against Thai champion Veeraphol Nakornluang Promotion. Tatsuyoshi said that he wanted to quit by winning, but he could no longer evade punches that should be easily slipped if he was younger. He will be back to an ordinary father to his sons. Although his boxing career ends, he has an ambition to be No. 1 in another field.
(8/31/99)
Yamaguchi to challenge Cho Injoo to regain world crown
Former WBA light flyweight champion Keiji Yamaguchi's world title shot has been set on September 5 in Tokyo to challenge the WBC super flyweight champion Cho Injoo (KOR). This will be Yamaguchi's second attempt to capture another world title in a different weight division.
Yamaguchi obtained the WBA light flyweight crown in May 1996 and was dethroned in his second title defense in December of the same year. Southpaw boxer Yamaguchi is now ranked No. 14 in WBC with a record of 28 wins and 4 losses with 11 KOs. Cho has an unblemished record, 15-0 with 7 KOs.
(6/24/99)
Tatsuyoshi's next fight may be final
Former WBC bantamweight champion Joichiro Tatsuyoshi said at a press conference on June 10 in Osaka that he badly wants to take revenge on Veeraphol, but if he beats Veeraphol, he may lose interest in fighting. Tatsuyoshi is scheduled to challenge the title held by Thai champion Veeraphol Nakornluang Promotion on August 29 at Osaka Dome baseball stadium, Osaka City.
Tatsuyoshi was dethroned by Veeraphol with a 6th round TKO last December. Tatsuyoshi's comment can be interpreted as his will to retire after the bout in addition to the fact that this bout is entitled "Final Chapter." It will also be Tatsuyoshi's biggest show in his professional career because the venue has the largest capacity he has ever used.(6/11/99)
Todaka may get rematch with Rojas
Although no definite plan has been announced, we are likely to see a rematch between Jesus Rojas and Hideki Todaka in June at the earliest. After the controversial technical draw at the WBA super flyweight championship held on March 28 in Miyazaki, the WBA supervisor remarked that he would recommend to the WBA that a rematch should be held within three month. Rojas also said he would take a rematch with Todaka in Japan.
(3/29/99)
Iida announces retirement
Former WBA super flyweight champion Satoshi Iida abruptly announced his retirement from the ring at a press conference held at Nagoya on February 28. It was February 15 that he resumed training to regain a world title. As reasons for retirement, Iida noted his loss of fighting spirit and concentration for boxing. He also pointed out that the number one reason to quit was that he could no longer be trained by Yoji Fukuda who led Iida to the world championship. His professional record was 25-2-1 with 11 KOs.
(3/1/99)
Iida to aim at title in bantamweight
Former WBA super flyweight champion Satoshi Iida has resumed his training to get on a road back to a world champion. He has reportedly made a decision to move up to bantamweight to challenge a world crown. He may challenge the WBC champ Veeraphol of Thailand. He is expected to fight in a non-title bout in this summer.
(2/17/99)
Senrima's planned title bout with Veeraphol aborted
Chulho Senrima, who had been preparing for a championship bout against WBC bantamweight champion Veeraphol Nakornluang Promotion, seems to be losing the chance to challenge the title. Veeraphol is likely to have a title defense with Gerardo Martinez of Mexico.
(2/12/99)
Tatsuyoshi may retire if Veeraphol loses title
Former WBC bantamweight champion Joichiro Tatsuyoshi remarked at a press conference on February 10 that he would quit boxing if current WBC champion Veeraphol Nakornluang Promotion loses his title before he gets a rematch with Veeraphol. It was his first formal appearance before the media after he lost the crown in last December. He expressed his strong desire to take revenge on the Thai champion. Tatsuyoshi's doctor who performed surgery on his left eye said Tatsuyoshi can fight again.
(2/12/99)
Tokimitsu to challenge WBC mini flyweight champ Wandee
OPBF mini flyweight champion Wolf Tokimitsu (No. 14 in WBA and No. 4 in WBC) will challenge WBC interim mini flyweight champion Wandee Chareon of Thailand on May 4 in Kurashiki City. Wandee won the championship by defeating Rocky Lin in Yokohama, Japan on August 23, 1998. Tokimitsu won the OPBF crown in February 1998 and defended it in last October. His record stands at 13-2 (7).
(2/11/99)
Watanabe remarks retirement after loss to Nagashima
Former OPBF featherweight champion and WBA No. 1 super featherweight contender Yuji Watanabe remarked his likely retirement after he lost to Kengo Nagashima in the OPBF super featherweight championship on February 6, 1999 at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo. Watanabe made a professional debut in 1990. He challenged the WBA super featherweight champion Genaro Hernandez in 1994 and WBA featherweight champion Wilfredo Vazquez in 1997, but failed to capture the crowns in TKO losses. He was one of the most popular boxers as a knock-out puncher who has an outstanding record: 21-4 (20).
(2/7/99)
Senrima to challenge WBC bantamweight champ Veeraphol
Chulho Senrima is firming up a match with Veeraphol Nakornluang Promotion to challenge the WBC bantamweight title. The date and venue have not been firmed up yet, but it would be in May, according to Mainichi Shimbun. The championship bout will be Veeraphol's first title defense following his sensational win in a championship bout against Joichiro Tatsuyoshi on December 29, 1998 in Osaka. Senrima is ranked No. 4 in Japan's super bantamweight division. He is considered to be a legitimate challenger because of his victory over Roongsurin Lookongchan, rated 17th in the WBC bantamweight on January 24, 1999.
(1/25/99)
2 division champion Ioka retires
Hiroki Ioka, former WBC mini flyweight and WBA light flyweight champion, held a press conference to announce his formal retirement from professional career on January 20, 1999 at Osaka. Ioka had decided to step down from the ring after he was defeated by Masamori Tokuyama who once was a gym mate of Ioka over a 5 round TKO on December 19 last year. Ioka said that he regrets that he could not become a 3-division world champion, which has never been realized by Japanese boxers. He also expressed his hope to run his own gym in the future. Ioka won the WBC mini flyweight title on October 18, 1987 and WBA light flyweight title in 1991. He had 33-8-1 (17).
(1/21/99)
Tatsuyoshi to get surgery on left eye
Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, former WBC bantamweight champion who was knocked out on last December is scheduled to get surgery on his left eye for injured retina at a hospital in Osaka on January 13. Tatsuyoshi had received surgery on his left eye due to the same injury for two times, which put his boxing career at stake.
(1/11/99)
Tatsuyoshi hints comeback after devastating loss
Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, after a shocking KO loss in the WBC bantamweight title bout on December 29, commented to the media that he would like to fight again because he does not want to make an excuse to quit boxing out of a loss like that. In response to a question if the tactics was right, Tatsuyoshi did not analyze anything but a fact that Veeraphol was stronger than he was at that night. Regarding the finishing round, he said he does not recall how he was lost and did not even remember he was knocked down twice. Tatsuyoshi's manager Kiyoshi Yoshii declined to comment on the future career of Tatsuyoshi and hoped Tatsuyoshi would take enough break to decide if he continues to fight.
(12/30/98)
Iida determined to regain belt
On December 24, former WBA super flyweight champion Satoshi Iida held a press conference after he lost the title the day before, saying that he will pursue his professional career as long as he has a chance to regain a world title. Since Iida has difficulty to make super flyweight, there is a possibility to move up to bantamweight. His dislocated shoulder was diagnosed as an injury that should take one month to be cured.
(12/24/98)
Nago eyes on Rojas for world title
Japan's super flyweight champion (No. 6 in WBC and No. 10 in WBA) Akihiko Nago has an eye on challenging WBA super flyweight champion Jesus Rojas in, hopefully, March next year. Nago and his manager Yoko Gushiken visited Jesus Rojas who had just captured WBA super flyweight crown from Satoshi Iida on December 23 at Nagoya to informally sound out a possibility to make a match. Rojas has an obligation to fight the top contender, former champion Yokthai Sithoar by April, but he would have a match with Nago before the mandatory defense because Japanese promoter Honda of Teiken gym has a managerial contract with Rojas.
(12/24/98)