Fighting Harada

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Masahiko Harada (born April 5, 1943), better known as Fighting Harada, is a Japanese former professional boxer. He is a world champion in two weight classes, having held the NYSAC, WBA, and The Ring undisputed flyweight titles from 1962 to 1963 and the WBA, WBC, and The Ring undisputed bantamweight titles from 1965 and 1968. He is currently the president of the Japanese boxing association.

Harada was arguably one of Japan's most popular boxers; his fame reached international status, and Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Gómez declared that Harada was his idol as a child.[1] Harada was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1995. In 2002, he was ranked as the 32nd greatest boxer of the past 80 years by Ring magazine.[2]

Biography

Harada began fighting as a professional on February 21, 1960, knocking out Isami Masui in round four, in Tokyo. He won his first twenty four bouts. Among the notables he beat during that span were Ken Morita, who later became a respected boxing official and who was beaten by Harada on June 26 in the first round, and future world champion Hiroyuki Ebihara, who was undefeated in nine fights before meeting Harada and who was beaten by Harada on December 24, by a decision in six rounds.

On June 15, 1962, he suffered his first defeat, being beaten on points by Edmundo Esparza over ten rounds in Tokyo.

After one more win, Harada received his first world title try: on October 10 of that year, he became the Lineal and WBA world flyweight champion by knocking out Pone Kingpetch in the eleventh round, in Tokyo.[3]

A rematch followed, and Harada lost the title in his first defense, being outpointed by Kingpetch over fifteen rounds on January 12, 1963 in Bangkok, Thailand. This was Harada's first fight outside Japan.

Harada posted four more wins in a row before losing by knockout in six to Jose Medel on September 26.

After that loss, Harada posted another winning streak, which reached seven before he was given another world title shot. Among the boxers he beat was top contenders Ray Asis, Oscar Reyes, and Katsutoshi Aoki.

On May 18, 1965, Harada extended his winning streak to eight, when he defeated Lineal, WBA and WBC bantamweight champion Eder Jofre in Nagoya, by a contested fifteen round decision, to win his second world title.[4] Jofre was undefeated in fifty fights coming into this bout, and considered by many of his fans to be invincible.[5]

On November 30, he defeated perennial British contender Alan Rudkin by a fifteen round decision to retain the title. On June 1, 1966, he and Jofre had a rematch in Tokyo, and Harada defeated Jofre in another match, by a fifteen round decision. Losing for the second time to Harada prompted Jofre to retire; he would make a successful comeback three years later. Harada was the only boxer to beat Jofre.

After two more, non-title wins, Harada had a chance to avenge his defeat against Jose Medel. On January 3, 1967, Harada retained his world bantamweight title with a fifteen round decision over Medel in Nagoya.

On July 4 he retained the title against Colombian Bernardo Caraballo, a fighter who was well liked in his country. Harada outpointed him over fifteen rounds.

On February 27, 1968, Lionel Rose became the first Indigenous Australian to become a world boxing champion, when he outpointed Harada over fifteen rounds in Tokyo. Having lost his world bantamweight crown, Harada then set his sights on regaining it.

He won four of his next five fights. Among those he defeated were American Dwight Hawkins and his countryman Nobuo Chiba. His lone loss during that span came at the hands of American Alton Colter by a ten round, split decision. Then, he received another world title shot.

On July 28, 1969, after the WBA and WBC had split the world bantamweight title, Harada fought Australia's Johnny Famechon for the WBC world featherweight belt. The fight was held in Sydney, and the referee and only judge was the legendary former world featherweight champion Willie Pep. Pep scored the fight a tie (draw), but Famechon's fans rallied over the call by booing Pep, who then announced he had miscalculated his scorecard and actually had Famechon ahead, making Harada a loser by a fifteen round decision. This fight was, nevertheless, controversial because of the nature of its ending, and the WBC clamoured for a rematch.[6]

After a knockout win in eight rounds over Pat Gonzalez, the rematch came. Harada's management wanted the fight to be held in Tokyo, and so, on January 6, 1970, Harada and Famechon met once again, this time at Tokyo's Metropolitan Gym. Harada dropped the champion in round ten, but Famechon recovered, knocking Harada off the ring in round fourteen and retaining the title by knockout in that round. This was Harada's last fight as a professional.[7]

Harada led a rather quiet life after retirement. In 1996, he was elected into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York.[8] Coincidentally, Wilfredo Gómez was inducted in the same ceremony. After Gómez expressed that Harada was his idol, Harada responded, using an interpreter, that Gómez had, in turn, become one of his favorite fighters as well. Eder Jofre, one of the boxers Harada beat to win world titles, is also enshrined at the IBHOF.

Masahiko Harada became president of the Japanese Boxing Commission in 2002.

On January 28, 2004, as he was driving home from his office, Harada experienced a headache and he was found to have a brain hemorrhage which required hospitalisation. By 2005 he was recovering steadily.[9]

On November 7, 2019 he presented the Muhammad Ali Trophy to Naoya Inoue after his victory over Nonito Donaire to win the 2018–19 World Boxing Super Series – bantamweight division tournament.[10]

Professional boxing record

Template:BoxingRecordSummary

No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
63 Loss 56–7 Johnny Famechon KO 14 (15), 1:09Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1970-01-06 Metropolitan Gymnasium, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBC featherweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
62 Win 56–6 Pat Gonzales KO 8 (10), 0:17Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1969-10-01 Fukui, Fukui, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
61 Loss 55–6 Johnny Famechon PTS 15 1969-07-28 Sydney Stadium, Sydney, AustraliaScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBC featherweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
60 Win 55–5 Vil Tumulak UD 10 1969-06-04 Nagoya, Aichi, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
59 Loss 54–5 Alton Colter SD 10 1969-04-02 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
58 Win 54–4 Roy Amolong KO 2 (10), 1:55Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1968-12-04 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
57 Win 53–4 Nobuo Chiba KO 7 (10), 1:13Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1968-09-04 Sano, Tochigi, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
56 Win 52–4 Dwight Hawkins UD 10 1968-06-05 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
55 Loss 51–4 Lionel Rose UD 15 1968-02-27 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost WBA, WBC, and The Ring bantamweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
54 Win 51–3 Soo Bok Kwon KO 8 (12), 0:26Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1967-11-28 Okayama City, Okayama, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
53 Win 50–3 Hajime Taroura KO 2 (12), 1:52Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1967-09-25 Osaka, Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
52 Win 49–3 Bernardo Caraballo UD 15 1967-07-04 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring bantamweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
51 Win 48–3 Tiny Palacio UD 12 1967-04-04 Fukuoka, Fukuoka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
50 Win 47–3 José Medel UD 15 1967-01-03 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, Aichi, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring bantamweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
49 Win 46–3 Antonio Herrera UD 12 1966-10-25 Osaka, Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
48 Win 45–3 Dio Espinosa UD 10 1966-08-01 Sapporo, Hokkaido, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
47 Win 44–3 Éder Jofre UD 15 1966-05-31 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring bantamweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
46 Win 43–3 Soo Kang Suh PTS 12 1966-02-15 Nagoya, Aichi, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
45 Win 42–3 Alan Rudkin UD 15 1965-11-30 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA, WBC, and The Ring bantamweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
44 Win 41–3 Katsuo Saito PTS 12 1965-07-28 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
43 Win 40–3 Éder Jofre SD 15 1965-05-18 Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, Nagoya, Aichi, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring bantamweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
42 Win 39–3 Toru Nakamura KO 2 1965-03-04
41 Win 38–3 Dommy Froilan KO 6 (10), 1:20Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1965-01-04 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
40 Win 37–3 Katsutoshi Aoki KO 3 (10), 2:54Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1964-10-29 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
39 Win 36–3 Oscar Reyes PTS 10 1964-09-17 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
38 Win 35–3 Ray Asis UD 10 1964-07-06 Sports Arena, Los Angeles, California, U.S.Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
37 Win 34–3 Somsak Laemfapha KO 2 (10), 1:05Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1964-02-14 Osaka, Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
36 Win 33–3 Avelino Estrada KO 5 (10), 0:51Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1964-01-02 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
35 Win 32–3 Emile de Leon PTS 10 1963-11-25 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
34 Loss 31–3 José Medel TKO 6 (10), 2:28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1963-09-26 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
33 Win 31–2 Dommy Balajada UD 10 1963-08-07 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
32 Win 30–2 Thira Lodjarengabe RTD 6 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1963-06-19 Nagoya, Aichi, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
31 Win 29–2 Jose Cejuda KO 1 (10), 0:28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1963-05-04 Naha, Okinawa, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
30 Win 28–2 Tetsuro Kawai UD 10 1963-03-21 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
29 Loss 27–2 Pone Kingpetch MD 15 1963-01-12 National Stadium Gymnasium, Bangkok, ThailandScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost NYSAC, WBA and The Ring flyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
28 Win 27–1 Pone Kingpetch KO 11 (15), 2:50Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1962-10-10 Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won NYSAC, WBA, and The Ring flyweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
27 Win 26–1 Little Rufe UD 10 1962-07-23 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
26 Loss 25–1 Edmundo Esparza SD 10 1962-06-14 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
25 Win 25–0 Baby Espinosa PTS 10 1962-05-03 Korakuen Gym, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
24 Win 24–0 Tadao Kawamura UD 10 1962-03-18 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
23 Win 23–0 Kozo Nagata UD 10 1962-01-12 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
22 Win 22–0 Ryoji Shiratori KO 6 (8), 1:12Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1961-12-10 Nagoya, Aichi, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
21 Win 21–0 Akio Maki UD 10 1961-10-09 Osaka, Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
20 Win 20–0 Sombang Banbung KO 3 (10), 2:37Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1961-09-09 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
19 Win 19–0 Akio Maki RTD 8 (10), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1961-07-31 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
18 Win 18–0 Shigeru Ito UD 10 1961-06-19 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
17 Win 17–0 Ray Perez UD 10 1961-05-01 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
16 Win 16–0 Yasuo Fujita UD 6 1961-03-05 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
15 Win 15–0 Riichi Tanaka UD 6 1961-01-28 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
14 Win 14–0 Tsuyoshi Nakamura UD 6 1961-01-05 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
13 Win 13–0 Hiroyuki Ebihara PTS 6 1960-12-24 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
12 Win 12–0 Yoshinori Hikita KO 3 (4), 1:44Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960-12-11 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
11 Win 11–0 Hachiro Arai UD 4 1960-11-07 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
10 Win 10–0 Sadayoshi Yoshida KO 4 (4), 1:02Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960-10-28 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Win 9–0 Yukio Suzuki UD 4 1960-09-01 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
8 Win 8–0 Masaru Kodangi RTD 3 (4), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960-07-18 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
7 Win 7–0 Kazuo Morita KO 1 (4), 1:25Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960-06-24 Shinagawa Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Win 6–0 Masatake Ogura TKO 3 (4), 2:16Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960-06-10 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
5 Win 5–0 Ken Morita UD 4 1960-04-13 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
4 Win 4–0 Yuichi Noguchi UD 4 1960-04-04 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
3 Win 3–0 Goro Iwamoto KO 3 (4), 2:53Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960-03-27 Asakusa Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 Win 2–0 Mitsuo Motohashi SD 4 1960-03-02 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1 Win 1–0 Isami Masui TKO 4 (4), 2:20Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 1960-02-21 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

The Ring magazine titles

Undisputed titles

See also

References

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  10. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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External links

Sporting positions

Template:S-text

Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check NYSAC flyweight champion
October 10, 1962 – January 12, 1963 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
WBA flyweight champion
October 10, 1962 – January 12, 1963 Template:S-ttl/check
The Ring flyweight champion
October 10, 1962 – January 12, 1963 Template:S-ttl/check
Undisputed flyweight champion
October 10, 1962 – January 12, 1963 Template:S-ttl/check
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check WBA bantamweight champion
May 18, 1965 – February 27, 1968 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
WBC bantamweight champion
May 18, 1965 – February 27, 1968 Template:S-ttl/check
The Ring bantamweight champion
May 18, 1965 – February 27, 1968 Template:S-ttl/check
Undisputed bantamweight champion
May 18, 1965 – February 27, 1968 Template:S-ttl/check

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Template:Authority control

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