Koichi Wajima

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Template:Short description Script error: No such module "Template wrapper".Script error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters". Koichi Wajima (輪島 功一, born 21 April 1943) is a Japanese former professional boxer who was the undisputed light-middleweight champion. He held the WBA and WBC titles from 1971 and 1974, he regained the titles in January 1975 that included The Ring title but lost it right away on June of the same year. He once again won the WBA and The Ring title in 1976.

Childhood and early career

Wajima was born in Karafuto, (current Sakhalin) which became Soviet territory when Wajima was three years old. He and his family moved to Shibetsu, Hokkaidō, but barely managed to make a living, Wajima was put up for adoption. He lived with his stepfamily while his parents worked in Shibetsu.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Wajima began to work as a fisherman with his stepfamily. He was still in middle school, but had to work from sunset all the way to daybreak. The only time he had to sleep was during class. He was a fighter from a young age, having to work tirelessly each day, and often picking fights with other kids.

After graduating from middle school, he traveled to Tokyo, where he worked briefly as a truck driver before joining the Misako Boxing Gym. He made his professional debut in March, 1968, at the age of 25.

Professional career

Wajima captured the Japanese light-middleweight title in September, 1969. He defended the title 9 times before returning it. He got his first shot at the world title against Carmelo Bossi for the world light middleweight title on October 31, 1971, in Tokyo, winning by 15-round split decision to capture his first world title.[1] He made his first defense in May, 1972, taking less than 2 minutes to knock out his opponent. He would defend the title a total of 6 times. He quickly became one of the most popular boxers in Japan for his peculiar "Frog Jump" uppercut punch.

He lost his 7th defense to Oscar Albarado in 1974 by KO in the 15th round. He got a rematch with Albarado 7 months later, on January 21, 1975, and managed to avenge his loss with a 15-round decision win to regain the Lineal, WBC and WBA titles. He was stripped of the WBC title in March, and lost to Jae-Doo Yuh to lose his Lineal and WBA light middleweight titles as well. However, he regained his Lineal and WBA titles in February, 1976, with a 15th-round KO over Yuh.

Wajima lost to Jose Manuel Duran in his first defense, losing the world title for the third time in his career. He fought his final match In June, 1977, challenging Eddie Gazo for the WBA super welterweight title, but lost by 11th-round KO. This was the last fight of his career. His record was 31-6-1 (25KOs).

Professional boxing record

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No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
38 Loss 30–6–1 Eddie Gazo TKO 11 (15), 0:45Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jun 7, 1977 Nihon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". For WBA and The Ring light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
37 Loss 30–5–1 Jose Manuel Duran KO 14 (15), 0:50Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". May 18, 1976 Nihon University, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost WBA and The Ring light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
36 Win 30–4–1 Yuh Jae-Doo KO 15 (15), 1:47Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Feb 17, 1976 Nihon University, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBA and The Ring light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
35 Loss 29–4–1 Yuh Jae-Doo KO 7 (15), 2:04Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jun 7, 1975 City Sogo Gym, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost WBA and The Ring light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
34 Win 29–3–1 Oscar Albarado UD 15 Jan 21, 1975 Nihon University, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBA, WBC, and The Ring light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
33 Loss 28–3–1 Oscar Albarado KO 15 (15), 1:57Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jun 4, 1974 Nihon University, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Lost WBA and WBC light-middleweight titles;
For inaugural The Ring light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
32 Win 28–2–1 Miguel de Oliveira MD 15 Feb 5, 1974 Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA and WBC light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
31 Win 27–2–1 Silvano Bertini RTD 12 (15), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Aug 14, 1973 Makomanai Ice Arena, Sapporo, Hokkaido, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA and WBC light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
30 Win 26–2–1 Ryu Sorimachi MD 15 Apr 19, 1973 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA and WBC light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
29 Template:DrawDraw 25–2–1 Miguel de Oliveira MD 15 Jan 9, 1973 Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA and WBC light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
28 Win 25–2 Matt Donovan KO 3 (15), 0:53Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Oct 3, 1972 Nihon University, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA and WBC light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
27 Win 25–2 Domenico Tiberia KO 1 (15), 1:49Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". May 7, 1972 Sports Centre, Fukuoka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained WBA and WBC light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
26 Win 24–2 Cassius Naito KO 7 (12), 1:30Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Feb 2, 1972 Metropolitan Gym, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
25 Win 23–2 Carmelo Bossi SD 15 Oct 31, 1971 Nihon University, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won WBA and WBC light-middleweight titlesScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
24 Win 22–2 Tetsuo Hoshino KO 2 (10), 2:41Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". May 28, 1971 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
23 Win 21–2 Alfredo Fuentes KO 1 (10), 3:08Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Mar 26, 1971 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
22 Win 20–2 Hideo Kanazawa KO 2 (10), 1:45Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Feb 18, 1971 Osaka, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
21 Win 19–2 Hisao Minami KO 7 (10), 2:38Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jan 8, 1971 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
20 Win 18–2 Raizo Kashima KO 3 (10), 2:34Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Oct 30, 1970 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
19 Win 17–2 Tetsuo Hoshino KO 5 (10), 2:12Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Sep 10, 1970 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
18 Win 16–2 Muneo Mizoguchi KO 8 (10), 2:09Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Aug 9, 1970 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
17 Win 15–2 Ken Sato KO 3 (10), 2:31Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". May 23, 1970 Sapporo, Hokkaido, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
16 Win 14–2 George Carter SD 10 Apr 9, 1970 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
15 Loss 13–2 George Carter UD 10 Feb 5, 1970 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
14 Win 13–1 Turtle Okabe KO 7 (10), 2:25Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Dec 18, 1969 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Retained Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
13 Loss 12–1 Pedro Adigue KO 1 (10), 2:21Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Oct 30, 1969 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
12 Win 12–0 Noriyasu Yoshimura KO 4 (10), 1:37Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Sep 4, 1969 Nagoya, Aichi, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Won Japanese light-middleweight titleScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
11 Win 11–0 Rocky Alarde KO 8 (10), 1:28Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jul 30, 1969 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
10 Win 10–0 Alacran Kusanagi KO 9 (10), 0:21Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jun 16, 1969 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
9 Win 9–0 Takemi Kato KO 6 (8), 1:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Mar 27, 1969 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
8 Win 8–0 Masaki Nomoto PTS 6 Feb 3, 1969 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
7 Win 7–0 Masami Takechi RTD 4 (6), 3:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Dec 30, 1968 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
6 Win 6–0 Sozo Yamamoto KO 1 (4), 1:25Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Oct 27, 1968 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
5 Win 5–0 Takao Higa KO 3 (4), 1:19Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Oct 6, 1968 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
4 Win 4–0 Tadakazu Sakai KO 2 (4), 1:05Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Aug 31, 1968 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
3 Win 3–0 Toshiaki Kaneko KO 3 (4), 2:00Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Aug 8, 1968 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2 Win 2–0 Koji Watanabe KO 2 (4), 0:52Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jun 30, 1968 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1 Win 1–0 Akira Takekawa KO 1 (4), 2:41Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". Jun 15, 1968 Tokyo, JapanScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Titles in boxing

Major world titles

The Ring magazine titles

Regional/International titles

Undisputed titles

Post retirement

Like many other Japanese boxers, Wajima became a successful television personality after retiring, and has appeared on game shows and television dramas. He became the head of the Eastern Japan Boxing Council, and has founded his own boxing gym in Tokyo. His brother-in-law also runs a successful dumpling store in Kokubunji, Tokyo. He also claims that condemned prisoner Iwao Hakamada is innocent.[2] Hakamada was later released after 45 years in prison, due to new evidence and discovery of the prosecution's reliance on falsified evidence.

See also

References

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

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External links

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Sporting positions

Template:S-text

Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check WBA light-middleweight champion
October 31, 1971 – June 4, 1974 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
WBC light-middleweight champion
October 31, 1971 – June 4, 1974 Template:S-ttl/check

Template:S-break

Undisputed light-middleweight champion
October 31, 1971 – June 4, 1974 Template:S-ttl/check
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check WBA light-middleweight champion
January 21, 1975 – June 7, 1975 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
WBC light-middleweight champion
January 21, 1975 – March 22, 1975
Stripped Template:S-ttl/check 		Vacant
Title next held by
Miguel de Oliveira

Template:S-break

The Ring light-middleweight champion
January 21, 1975 – June 7, 1975 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
Undisputed light-middleweight champion
January 21, 1975 – March 22, 1975
Titles fragmented Template:S-ttl/check 		Vacant
Title next held by
Winky Wright
Preceded byTemplate:S-bef/check WBA light-middleweight champion
February 17, 1976 – May 18, 1976 Template:S-ttl/check 		Template:S-aft/check Succeeded by
The Ring light-middleweight champion
February 17, 1976 – May 18, 1976 Template:S-ttl/check

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