Takeshi Fuji
Takeshi Fuji | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Paul Takeshi Fujii July 6, 1940 |
| Nationality | Japanese American (expatriate) |
| Other names | Hammer Punch |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Light welterweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 38 |
| Wins | 34 |
| Wins by KO | 29 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
Takeshi Fuji (藤猛, born Paul Takeshi Fuji on July 6, 1940) is a Hawaiian-born Japanese former professional boxer.[1] He is a former Lineal, WBA and WBC super lightweight (light welterweight) champion.
Biography
Fuji was born a third generation Japanese-Hawaiian.[1] He was raised in Hawaii, but traveled to Japan, where he joined the boxing gym run by former professional wrestler Rikidōzan. Though he fought in Japan for most of his career, he could not speak Japanese. His trainer, Eddie Townsend, was also a Japanese-American. He made his professional debut in April, 1964 with a 2nd round KO.
In June, 1965, Fuji challenged the Japanese super lightweight title, and won by KO only 45 seconds into the first round. This was his 11th professional fight, and he defended the title once before returning it.
Fuji won the OPBF super lightweight title in 1966, and challenged Lineal, WBA and WBC super lightweight champion Sandro Lopopolo in April, 1967. Fuji won by KO in the second round to become the new world champion.[2][1]
Fuji made his first defense in November, 1967, before returning his title. In December, 1968, he faced Nicolino Locche for the newly inaugurated WBA light welterweight title, but gave up in the 10th round.[1]
In June, 1970, Fuji was scheduled to face former world champion Eddie Perkins in a non-title match, but suddenly withdrew from the fight claiming to have an injury. The Japan Boxing Commission penalized Fuji with a suspension, and he retired shortly afterwards. His record was 34-3-1 (29KOs).
He currently works as a trainer at a boxing gym in Mito, Ibaraki.
See also
- List of light welterweight boxing champions
- List of WBA world champions
- List of WBC world champions
- List of Japanese boxing world champions
- Boxing in Japan
References
External links
- Boxing record for Takeshi Fuji from BoxRec (registration required)
- Takeshi Fuji - CBZ Profile
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
- 1940 births
- Boxers from Hawaii
- American expatriates in Japan
- American people of Japanese descent
- Living people
- Sportspeople from Honolulu
- World Boxing Association champions
- World Boxing Council champions
- The Ring champions
- World light-welterweight boxing champions
- World boxing champions
- American sportspeople of Japanese descent
- American male boxers