Yoko Gushiken
Yoko Gushiken | |
|---|---|
 Gushiken in March 2003 | |
| Born | Yoko Gushiken June 26, 1955 Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan |
| Nationality |  Japanese |
| Other names | Fierce Eagle |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Junior flyweight |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 24 |
| Wins | 23 |
| Wins by KO | 15 |
| Losses | 1 |
Yoko Gushiken (具志堅 用高, Gushiken Yōkō, born June 26, 1955) is a Japanese former professional boxer from 1974-1981. His professional record is 23-1 and he held the title of WBA Light Flyweight champion 1976-1981. Following his retirement from boxing, he remains popular in Japan as a tarento having signed a contract with Ohta Productions.[1]
Gushiken is part of the 2015 class for the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[2]
Biography
Gushiken was known for having strong stamina, allowing him to pressure opponents into mistakes after many rounds. His southpaw stance allowed him to take advantage of many mistakes, usually by throwing unexpected combinations of punches instead of waiting for counterpunch opportunities.
His popularity centered in mainland Japan, where he was known by the nickname Kanmuriwashi (Fierce Eagle) and crowds were normally sold out. He quickly rose through the amateur ranks and won All-Japan in high school.
WBA Light Flyweight Championship
After that, he went pro and fought for the WBA Light Flyweight crown after just nine professional fights. He defeated Juan Antonio Guzmán, a well-seasoned pro, by knockout in the seventh round. He held the championship for over four years. In thirteen defenses, he won eight by knockout.
Panamanian Jaime Rios nearly defeated Gushiken in 1977 and 1978, but lost after wilting in the last rounds of each match. Other defeats of note were against future champions Alfonso Lopez and Rafael Pedroza. As with Rios, they lost after many rounds of being worn down by Gushiken.
In his thirteenth title defense, he fought Mexican Pedro Flores, winning by a close margin. In the rematch, Florez was better at reserving his energy and defeated Gushiken by knockout in the twelfth round. Many expected Gushiken to return to the ring, but he announced his retirement five months after his loss.
Tarento
Despite retiring from boxing in 1981, he remains a popular figure in Japan. As a tarento he has appeared on countless variety and quiz shows, including "Cream Quiz! Miracle 9" where he is a regular.[1]
See also
- List of light flyweight boxing champions
- List of WBA world champions
- List of Japanese boxing world champions
- The Gushiken Family of Okinawa
- Boxing in Japan
References
- ^ a b 具志堅用高 (in Japanese). Ohta Productions. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/11978825/riddick-bowe-ray-boom-boom-mancini-highlight-international-boxing-hall-fame-selections
External links
- Boxing record for Yoko Gushiken from BoxRec (registration required)
- Shirai-Gushiken sports gym official (Japanese)
- The memorial hall of Yoko Gushiken
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