The Top 10 Japanese Boxers of All Time

Japanese boxing is experiencing its first golden era since the 1970’s. With the success of guys like Naoya Inoue, Junto Nakatani, Kazuto Ioka and Kenshiro Teraji, one could rightfully argue that the current era of boxers make this the greatest era of boxing in Japanese history. How does this current crop stack up against the Japanese boxing legends that paved the way? Brunch Boxing takes a look at the ten greatest boxers in Japanese history.

1. Naoya Inoue

Naoya Inoue, known as “The Monster,” is a Japanese professional boxer celebrated for his speed, power, and technical skill. Born in 1993, he quickly rose through the ranks, winning world titles in multiple weight classes including light-flyweight, super-flyweight, bantamweight and super bantamweight. He became undisputed champion at bantam and super bantamweight. Inoue is renowned for his knockout power and has maintained an impressive undefeated record while becoming one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the sport.

2. Fighting Harada

Fighting Harada, born in 1943 as Masahiko Harada, is a retired Japanese boxer who is considered one of the greatest in his nation’s history. Harada won world titles in the flyweight and bantamweight divisions during the 1960s. He is best known for defeating Eder Jofre, an all-time great, and remains the only boxer to have won the World Flyweight and World Bantamweight titles. His aggressive fighting style and endurance made him a legend in Japanese boxing.

3. Masao Ohba

Masao Ohba, born in 1949, was a talented Japanese flyweight boxer who held the WBA flyweight title from 1970 until his untimely death in 1973. Known as the “Eternal Champion,” Ohba defended his title successfully five times before dying in a car accident at the age of 23. Despite his short career, he left a significant mark on the sport with his resilience and skill inside the ring.

4. Kazuto Ioka

Kazuto Ioka, born in 1989, is a distinguished Japanese boxer who has achieved world championships in four different weight classes: minimumweight, light-flyweight, flyweight, and super-flyweight. Ioka’s technical prowess, combined with his strategic boxing style, has earned him recognition as one of Japan’s most accomplished fighters. He continues to compete at a high level, maintaining a prominent presence in the boxing world.

5. Yoko Gushiken

Yoko Gushiken, born in 1955, is a former Japanese light-flyweight boxer who dominated the division in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He held the WBA light-flyweight title from 1976 to 1981, making 13 successful defenses of his title. Gushiken’s southpaw style and relentless pressure made him a formidable champion. After retiring, he transitioned into a career in entertainment, becoming a popular television personality in Japan.

6. Kosei Tanaka

Kosei Tanaka, born in 1995, is a young Japanese boxer known for his rapid rise in the sport. Tanaka has won world titles in three weight classes: minimumweight, light-flyweight, and flyweight. Noted for his speed, technique, and versatility, Tanaka has built a reputation as one of the sport’s brightest talents. He continues to aim for greater achievements, seeking to become a multi-division world champion.

7. Takashi Uchiyama

Takashi Uchiyama, born in 1979, is a former Japanese professional boxer who held the WBA super-featherweight title from 2010 to 2016. Uchiyama was known for his powerful punching ability and solid defensive skills, earning the nickname “KO Dynamite.” He successfully defended his title 11 times, establishing himself as one of the top fighters in his division during his reign.

8. Kōki Kameda

Kōki Kameda, born in 1986, is a Japanese boxer who has won world titles in three weight classes: light-flyweight, flyweight, and bantamweight. Kameda is part of a famous boxing family, with his brothers also being professional boxers. Known for his flamboyant personality and boxing skills, Kameda has been a prominent figure in Japanese boxing, although his career has been marked by both successes and controversies.

9. Kuniaki Shibata

Kuniaki Shibata, born in 1947, is a retired Japanese featherweight boxer who won world titles in two different divisions: featherweight and super-featherweight. Shibata’s career spanned from the mid-1960s to the late 1970s, and he is remembered for his technical boxing style and resilience. He achieved notable victories over several top fighters of his era and remains a respected figure in Japanese boxing history.

10. Yoshio Shirai

Yoshio Shirai, born in 1923, was a trailblazing Japanese boxer who became the first Japanese world champion in boxing, winning the world flyweight title in 1952. His victory marked a significant milestone for Japanese boxing on the international stage. Shirai’s disciplined and tactical approach to boxing earned him acclaim and he successfully defended his title several times before retiring in 1955. His contributions to the sport have left a lasting legacy in Japan.