Joichiro Tatsuyoshi
Encyclopedia
is a former World Boxing Council
(WBC) world bantamweight champion from Kurashiki
, Okayama, Japan
. His record is 19–6–1 (13 KOs).
He is popular for his fight style and unique personality, and has appeared in several television variety shows.
He is named after Joe Yabuki, the main character of the boxing anime
, Ashita no Joe (Tomorrow's Joe). Coincidentally, he fights in the same weight class (bantamweight
) as the character he is named after.
He has a large reach in comparison with his height (he is only 164 cm tall, but has a reach of 178cm), and is known for his distinctively low guard. He often keeps his hands in front of his chest, unlike other boxers who usually keep their hands closer to the head.
He is managed by the Osaka Teiken boxing gym
.
to begin training, working part-time at restaurants to support himself. Tatsyoshi won the Japanese amateur bantamweight championship at age 17, becoming a candidate for the Seoul Olympics. Tatsuyoshi was featured in a local Kansai
newspaper as one of Japan's best young boxers. His amateur record was 18–1–0.
Tatsuyoshi turned pro in 1989, and won the Japanese Bantamweight in his fourth professional fight. He won the WBC World Bantamweight Title in his eighth professional fight in 1991, the fastest of any Japanese boxer (Nobuo Nashiro
tied this record in 2006, winning the WBA Super Flyweight Title in his eighth fight). However, he was discovered to have a torn retina
while training for his first title defense, forcing him into rehabilitation.
Almost a full year after winning the title, Tatsuyoshi fought Victor Rabanales
, who had become the WBC Interim Champion during Tatsuyoshi's inactivity. Tatsuyoshi lost by TKO in the ninth round, but vowed revenge, claiming it was his twin brother "Joujirou" who had lost the fight. Tatsuyoshi fought Rabanales again on July 22, 1993, for the WBC World Bantamweight Interim Title, defeating Rabanales by 12 round decision. In September of the same year, he was found to have another eye injury; this time a detached left retina, forcing him to give up his interim title, and nearly forcing him into retirement. Tatsuyoshi still managed to continue his career, making a comeback in July 1994 in Hawaii
, knocking out his opponent in three rounds. The WBC returned the interim title to Tatsuyoshi after the fight.
In December, 1994, Tatsuyoshi fought WBC Bantamweight Champion Yasuei Yakushiji
. Being a title match between two Japanese fighters, the match generated huge media attention, and Tatsuyoshi was a huge favorite to win. However, he ended with a loss by 12 round decision, losing his interim title.
Tatsuyoshi challenged the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion twice in 1996 and 1997, but lost both times. Many began to believe he was no longer capable of fighting at the world level, and in November 1997, Tatsuyoshi challenged undefeated WBC Bantamweight Champion Sirimongkol Singwangcha
, with the intent of retiring if he failed to win. Despite the odds, he won by TKO in seventh round, reclaiming his title after three years.
Tatsuyoshi recorded two title defenses before losing to Veeraphol Sahaprom
on December 29, 1998. He challenged Sahaprom in August 1999, but lost again in the seventh round, and announced his retirement after the fight. He changed his mind shortly afterwards and resumed his training, making a comeback fight on December 15, 2002, winning by TKO after more than three years of inactivity. He won again in September 2003, but fell into inactivity again after injuring his left knee. There are no plans for a next fight, but he still trains with his son, Jukiya, who wishes to follow his father into professional boxing.
He is known to train exceptionally hard. Trainers used to keep their young boxers away from Tatsuyoshi, not because Tatsuyoshi might injure the younger boxers in a sparring session, but because the younger fighters might give up after seeing the enormous amount of time Tatsuyoshi spent training.
After losing an amateur bout, he left his gym for about half a year, homeless. He met his current wife at a cafe he happened to stop by during this period. He credits his wife for giving him the strength to return to his gym.
He is friends with comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto
of Downtown, and has appeared on his show Downtown DX. He is also friends with baseball star Ichiro Suzuki
, who has attended several of Tatsuyoshi's fights.
He has appeared numerous times in the popular Japanese boxing manga
, Hajime no Ippo.
in an attempt to continue his career abroad. When commentating on televised boxing matches, Tatsuyoshi has shown clear signs of being punch drunk (slurred speech and forgetfulness), worrying his fans.
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
(WBC) world bantamweight champion from Kurashiki
Kurashiki, Okayama
is a historic city located to the west of Okayama Prefecture, Japan, sitting on the Takahashi River, on the coast of the Inland Sea.As of April 2010, the city has a population of 473,392. The total area is .-History:...
, Okayama, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. His record is 19–6–1 (13 KOs).
He is popular for his fight style and unique personality, and has appeared in several television variety shows.
He is named after Joe Yabuki, the main character of the boxing anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, Ashita no Joe (Tomorrow's Joe). Coincidentally, he fights in the same weight class (bantamweight
Bantamweight
Bantamweight is usually a class in boxing for boxers who weigh above 115 pounds and up to 118 pounds . However, in Mixed Martial Arts it is 134-136 pounds . Wrestling also has similar weight classes including bantamweight...
) as the character he is named after.
He has a large reach in comparison with his height (he is only 164 cm tall, but has a reach of 178cm), and is known for his distinctively low guard. He often keeps his hands in front of his chest, unlike other boxers who usually keep their hands closer to the head.
He is managed by the Osaka Teiken boxing gym
Teiken Boxing Gym
in Tokyo, a Japan's traditional boxing club whose genesis dates back to 1926, manages professional boxers as a member of the , a subsidiary body of . Currently located in Kagurazaka, Shinjuku, its president is the International Boxing Hall of Famer , the representative is , and the long-time female...
.
Biography
Tatsuyoshi's father was a boxing fan, and began training his son when he was still a toddler. After graduating from middle school, Tatsuyoshi moved to OsakaOsaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
to begin training, working part-time at restaurants to support himself. Tatsyoshi won the Japanese amateur bantamweight championship at age 17, becoming a candidate for the Seoul Olympics. Tatsuyoshi was featured in a local Kansai
Kansai
The or the lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, and Shiga. Depending on who makes the distinction, Fukui, Tokushima and even Tottori Prefecture are also included...
newspaper as one of Japan's best young boxers. His amateur record was 18–1–0.
Tatsuyoshi turned pro in 1989, and won the Japanese Bantamweight in his fourth professional fight. He won the WBC World Bantamweight Title in his eighth professional fight in 1991, the fastest of any Japanese boxer (Nobuo Nashiro
Nobuo Nashiro
Nobuo Nashiro is a professional boxer in the Super flyweight division as well as the WBA super flyweight champion.- Childhood :...
tied this record in 2006, winning the WBA Super Flyweight Title in his eighth fight). However, he was discovered to have a torn retina
Retina
The vertebrate retina is a light-sensitive tissue lining the inner surface of the eye. The optics of the eye create an image of the visual world on the retina, which serves much the same function as the film in a camera. Light striking the retina initiates a cascade of chemical and electrical...
while training for his first title defense, forcing him into rehabilitation.
Almost a full year after winning the title, Tatsuyoshi fought Victor Rabanales
Victor Rabanales
Victor Manuel Rabanales was a Mexican boxer in the Featherweight division. He is a former WBC FECARBOX and the WBC Bantamweight Champion...
, who had become the WBC Interim Champion during Tatsuyoshi's inactivity. Tatsuyoshi lost by TKO in the ninth round, but vowed revenge, claiming it was his twin brother "Joujirou" who had lost the fight. Tatsuyoshi fought Rabanales again on July 22, 1993, for the WBC World Bantamweight Interim Title, defeating Rabanales by 12 round decision. In September of the same year, he was found to have another eye injury; this time a detached left retina, forcing him to give up his interim title, and nearly forcing him into retirement. Tatsuyoshi still managed to continue his career, making a comeback in July 1994 in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, knocking out his opponent in three rounds. The WBC returned the interim title to Tatsuyoshi after the fight.
In December, 1994, Tatsuyoshi fought WBC Bantamweight Champion Yasuei Yakushiji
Yasuei Yakushiji
is a former professional boxer who fought in the bantamweight division. He successfully defended the WBC bantamweight title four times during his career.- Biography :Yakushiji began boxing under influence of his father, who was an amateur boxer...
. Being a title match between two Japanese fighters, the match generated huge media attention, and Tatsuyoshi was a huge favorite to win. However, he ended with a loss by 12 round decision, losing his interim title.
Tatsuyoshi challenged the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion twice in 1996 and 1997, but lost both times. Many began to believe he was no longer capable of fighting at the world level, and in November 1997, Tatsuyoshi challenged undefeated WBC Bantamweight Champion Sirimongkol Singwangcha
Sirimongkol Singwangcha
Sirimongkol Singwangcha is a professional light welterweight Thai boxer and kickboxer fighting out of Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand. He has won world titles in two weight divisions. His career record is 54-2 .-Biography and career:...
, with the intent of retiring if he failed to win. Despite the odds, he won by TKO in seventh round, reclaiming his title after three years.
Tatsuyoshi recorded two title defenses before losing to Veeraphol Sahaprom
Veeraphol Sahaprom
Veerapol Sahaprom is a former WBC and WBA Bantamweight Champion. He is from the Nakhon Ratchasima Province in Thailand...
on December 29, 1998. He challenged Sahaprom in August 1999, but lost again in the seventh round, and announced his retirement after the fight. He changed his mind shortly afterwards and resumed his training, making a comeback fight on December 15, 2002, winning by TKO after more than three years of inactivity. He won again in September 2003, but fell into inactivity again after injuring his left knee. There are no plans for a next fight, but he still trains with his son, Jukiya, who wishes to follow his father into professional boxing.
Personal life
He has admitted that he was bullied during his early childhood, but overcame it through boxing, and never lost a street fight during his teens. He says he never used his fists when street fighting, because a bare knuckle punch could severely injure his opponent. He used open-handed slaps and elbows instead. Because of his experiences, he has appeared in public advertisements condemning bullying.He is known to train exceptionally hard. Trainers used to keep their young boxers away from Tatsuyoshi, not because Tatsuyoshi might injure the younger boxers in a sparring session, but because the younger fighters might give up after seeing the enormous amount of time Tatsuyoshi spent training.
After losing an amateur bout, he left his gym for about half a year, homeless. He met his current wife at a cafe he happened to stop by during this period. He credits his wife for giving him the strength to return to his gym.
He is friends with comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto
Hitoshi Matsumoto
, or Matchan as he is commonly known, is a Japanese comedian best known as the boke half the popular owarai duo Downtown alongside Masatoshi Hamada...
of Downtown, and has appeared on his show Downtown DX. He is also friends with baseball star Ichiro Suzuki
Ichiro Suzuki
, usually known simply as is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro has established a number of batting records, including the sport's single-season record for hits with 262...
, who has attended several of Tatsuyoshi's fights.
He has appeared numerous times in the popular Japanese boxing manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, Hajime no Ippo.
Retirement
Tatsuyoshi turned 37 in May 2007. However, Tatsuyoshi has already suffered several serious injuries, and his management has expressed a desire to not see him take further damage, making it difficult for him to fight in Japan. Tatsuyoshi has recently gone to ThailandThailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
in an attempt to continue his career abroad. When commentating on televised boxing matches, Tatsuyoshi has shown clear signs of being punch drunk (slurred speech and forgetfulness), worrying his fans.