TOKYO – Ahead of what is said to be the biggest event in Japanese boxing history, International Boxing Hall of Fame historian Joe Koizumi has rated Naoya Inoue as Japan's best boxer.
Mr. Koizumi first began writing “The Ring'' in the 1960s at the age of 17, and is one of the boxing encyclopedias enshrined in Canastota in 2008.
Mr. Koizumi first obtained a license from the Japan Boxing Commission to work in the corner in 1965, helping several champions. He also works as a matchmaker, has been involved in over 150 world title fights, and has seen it all and believes Inoue is the best fighter his home country has produced.
Here are Joe Koizumi's five best fighters from Japan.
- Jiro Watanabe – 26 wins, 2 losses (17 KOs)
The southpaw debuted in 1979, but his days were over in 1986 when he lost the WBC super flyweight title to Gilberto Roman. After 11 professional bouts, Watanabe lost his first challenge for a world title (WBC) to Kim Chul-ho in South Korea in 15 rounds, losing by a close decision, but five fights later, Watanabe defeated Panama's Rafael Pedrosa. He defeated him and was crowned by the WBA. W.B.C. He won the WBA belt after five fights, but his loss in Rome was his first in five years.
Koizumi said, “He is a very good southpaw counter-puncher who defeated Phayao Puntalat twice and actually became the unified WBC/WBA champion.''
- Kuniaki Shibata – 47 wins, 6 losses, 3 draws (25 KOs)
Shibata, who retired in 1977 after three consecutive wins, was a two-division world champion who competed in several big matches. In December 1970, he traveled to Tijuana to defeat future Hall of Famer Vincente Saldivar to win the WBC featherweight title, only to lose the belt to Clemente Sanchez a little over a year later. .
However, he moved up in weight and defeated Ben Villaflor for the WBA strap at super featherweight, only to be dropped and called off in a rematch seven months later. Undeterred, he defeated Mexican veteran Ricardo Arredondo in 15 rounds at the next tournament in Japan, winning the WBC belt with the Super Feather.
Koizumi points out, “Who won the world belt overseas by defeating Vicente Saldívar and Ben Villaflor?''
- Gushiken Yoko – 23 wins, 1 loss (15 KOs)
He has only lost once in his seven-year career, and that was his last fight, against Pedro Flores, whom he already defeated. Southpaw Gushiken was the long-reigning WBA light flyweight champion, holding the title for nearly five years and making 13 defenses.
He was a famous puncher, but retired at just 25 years old.
- Harada match – 55 wins, 7 losses (22 KOs)
For many, Masahiko Harada, having won titles at flyweight and bantamweight, would be at the top of this list, and definitely would have been until recently.
In 1962, at just 19 years old, he won his first world title from Pawn Kingpetch, but lost the match three months later, and went on to compete against greats throughout his career, defeating Eder Joffre twice and defeating Alain Joffre. He outperformed Rudkin and avenge his previous loss to Jose. Medel will take over the bantamweight title.
He lost his belt to Australia's Lionel Rose and withdrew from Johnny Famechon's featherweight title challenge after losing twice.
Harada's accomplishment was made all the more special because he won titles in two weight classes at a time when there were only 10 weight classes and only one champion in each weight class.
1. Naoya Inoue – 26 wins, 0 losses (23 KOs)
The 31-year-old “Monster” is arguably the best fighter in the sport today and continues to achieve incredible results. He has unified all four belts in two weight divisions and is the reigning super bantamweight champion as he takes on Mexico's Luis Neri tonight at the Tokyo Dome. Inoue has won titles at four different weights, and some believe success in the 126 weight class is inevitable.