Takeshi Fuji
Encyclopedia
Takeshi Fuji is a former professional boxer from Hawaii
. He is a former world super lightweight (light welterweight
) champion.
, 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 world super lightweight champion Sandro Lopopolo
in April, 1967. Fuji won by KO in the second round to become the new world champion.
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.
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
.
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...
. He is a former world super lightweight (light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
) champion.
Biography
Fuji was born a third generation Japanese-American. He was raised in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, but traveled to 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...
, where he joined the boxing gym run by former professional wrestler Rikidōzan
Rikidozan
, better known as Rikidōzan , was a Korean Japanese professional wrestler, known as the "Father of Puroresu" and one of the most influential men in wrestling history. Initially, he had moved from his native country Korea to Japan to become a sumo wrestler...
. Though he fought in 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...
for most of his career, he could not speak Japanese. His trainer, Eddie Townsend
Eddie Townsend
Edward "Eddie" Townsend was an American professional boxing trainer.He is revered in Japan for training several boxing world champions. An award given to boxing trainers was established in his honor, and a boxing gym in Osaka, bears his name.-Biography:Townsend was born to an American father and a...
, 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 world super lightweight champion Sandro Lopopolo
Sandro Lopopolo
Sandro Lopopolo was an Italian light welterweight boxer, who won the silver medal at the 1960 Summer Olympics in Rome, and fought as a professional from 1961 to 1973. Lopopolo held the Italian, European and World light welterweight titles during his career...
in April, 1967. Fuji won by KO in the second round to become the new world champion.
Fuji made his first defense in November, 1967, before returning his title. In December, 1968, he faced Nicolino Locche
Nicolino Locche
Nicolino Locche was an Argentine boxer from Tunuyán, Mendoza. He was of Italian origin, with his ancestors coming from Sardinia...
for the newly inaugurated WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
light welterweight
Light welterweight
-Professional boxing:The light welterweight class is a weight division in professional boxing that has a limit of 63.5 kg or 140 pounds...
title, but gave up in the 10th round.
In June, 1970, Fuji was scheduled to face former world champion Eddie Perkins
Eddie Perkins
Eddie Perkins was an American light welterweight boxer.-Professional career:Perkins turned professional in 1956 and captured the World Boxing Association light welterweight title with a decision win over Duilio Loi in 1962, but lost the belt in a rematch later that year...
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
Mito, Ibaraki
is the capital of Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan and has a central location, moderately offset towards the coast in that prefecture. As of 2005, the city has an estimated population of 263,748 and a total area is 217.45 km², giving a population density of 1,212.91 persons per km²...
.