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Jiro Watanabe (born March 16, 1955) is a Japanese former boxer who was
considered by many, along with Yoko Gushiken, to be one of the two best
world champions to come out of that country.
Watanabe, who campaigned only in Japan and South Korea, was one of the
first world Jr. Bantamweight champions, because that division was relatively
new when he was crowned.
He started his professional boxing career with a three round knockout
over Keiza Miyazaki. That fight was in Okayama, Watanabe's birthplace. Two
first round knockout wins followed, one over Yukihiro Kawahira, and another
one over Noburu Iishi. There was an immediate rematch with Iishi, and,
although the second time around Iishi gave him a tougher test, nevertheless,
Watanabe still came out a winner, by a knockout in six.
Three more knockouts followed, two in the first round, including one over
Koji Kobayashi, brother of former world champion Royal Kobayashi. Then,
Watanabe was extended the distance for the first time, against Jin Hyun-Chun
in Nagoya, Watanabe winning a six round decision.
After two more decision wins, Watanabe flew to South Korea, where he
challenged the WBC world Jr. Bantamweight champion Chul-Ho Kim, losing in
his first world title bid by a 15 round decision. Watanabe then returned to
Japan and won his remaining four bouts for 1981 there, three by knockout.
One of the fighters he beat was Tito Abella, who by then had been ranked as
the number one Jr. Bantamweight challenger in the world. Abella was knocked
out in four rounds.
On April of 1982, the WBA Jr. Bantamweight champion of the world, Rafael
Pedroza of Panama, the cousin of Eusebio Pedroza, travelled to Osaka to
defend his belt against Watanabe on April 8. Watanabe won a unanimous 15
round decision and became world champion. Watanabe's remaining fights of
1982 were title defenses against former world champions, Gustavo Ballas of
Argentina, knocked out in nine rounds, and Shoji Oguma (former two time
world Flyweght champion), beaten by a knockout in 12.
1983 was another busy year for the champion: He beat Luis Ibanez of
Venezuela by a knockout in eight, Roberto Ramirez of Mexico by a decision in
15, and Soo-Chun Kwon by a technical decision in 11. Watanabe had built a
considerable points lead over Chun Kwon, but in round ten, their heads
collided, causing a gap in Watanabe's head. He bled profusely, and the fight
doctor ordered the fight to be stopped in round eleven, but since it was
ruled that the cut was the product of a headbutt, the fight then went to the
scorecards, and Watanabe was declared the winner.
In 1984, Watanabe disposed of another Venezuelan challenger, Celso
Chavez, by knocking him out in 15 rounds. Then, he and WBC world champion
Payao Pooltarat went to unify the world's Jr. Bantamweight title, and
Watanabe finally earned the WBC's belt, winning by a 12 round decision.
There was an immediate rematch, and Watanabe again imposed his will, with an
11 round knockout over the former world champ.
In 1985, he retained the title with a 12 round decision over Julio Soto
Solano. Wins over Katsuo Katsuma (KO 7) and Suk-Hwan Yun (KO 5) followed,
but in 1986, he defended against the late Gilberto Roman in what would turn
out to be his last fight. He lost to Roman by a 12 round decision and
announced his retirement from professional boxing. Unlike so many others, he
was able to stay away from the temptation of coming back and trying to
regain his old popularity.
In 1999, Watanabe was spotted at a Seoul activity honoring Asia's
greatest boxing champions, alongside Fighting Harada, Jung Koo Chang,
Gushiken, Sot Chitalada, and former rivals Ho Kim and Pooltarat, among
others.
He had a record of 26 wins, 2 losses and 18 wins by knockout.
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