Yoko Gushiken

Yoko Gushiken (具志堅 用高, Gushiken Yōkō, born 26 June 1955) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1981. He held the WBA light-flyweight title from 1976 to 1981, making a total of 13 successful defences.[1] Following his retirement from boxing, he remains popular in Japan as a tarento having signed a contract with Ohta Production.[2] He is well known in Japan for his comical trademark looks of perm afro hair style.

Yoko Gushiken
Gushiken in March 2003
Statistics
Nickname(s)Fierce Eagle
Weight(s)Light-flyweight
NationalityJapanese
Born (1955-06-26) 26 June 1955
Ishigaki, Okinawa, Japan
StanceSouthpaw
Boxing record
Total fights24
Wins23
Wins by KO15
Losses1

Gushiken was inducted in 2015 to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.[3]

Biography

Gushiken was known for having strong stamina, allowing him to pressure opponents into mistakes after many rounds. His southpaw stance allowed him to take advantage of many mistakes, usually by throwing unexpected combinations of punches instead of waiting for counterpunch opportunities.

His popularity centered in mainland Japan, where he was known by the nickname Kanmuriwashi (Fierce Eagle) and crowds were normally sold out. He quickly rose through the amateur ranks and won All-Japan in high school.

WBA light-flyweight champion

After that, he went pro and fought for the WBA light-flyweight title after just nine professional fights. He defeated Juan Antonio Guzmán, a well-seasoned pro, by knockout in the seventh round. He held the title for over four years, making thirteen defenses and winning eight by knockout.

Jaime Rios nearly defeated Gushiken in 1977 and 1978, but lost after wilting in the last rounds of each match. Other defeats of note were against future champions Alfonso Lopez and Rafael Pedroza. As with Rios, they lost after many rounds of being worn down by Gushiken.

In his thirteenth title defense, he fought Pedro Flores, winning by a close margin. In the rematch, Flores was better at reserving his energy and defeated Gushiken by knockout in the twelfth round. Many expected Gushiken to return to the ring, but he announced his retirement five months after his loss.

Tarento

Despite retiring from boxing in 1981, he remains a popular figure in Japan. As a tarento he has appeared on countless variety and quiz shows, including "Cream Quiz! Miracle 9" where he is a regular.[2]

Professional boxing record
Professional record summary
24 fights 23 wins 1 loss
By knockout 15 1
By decision 8 0
No. Result Record Opponent Type Round, time Date Location Notes
24 Lose 23–1 Pedro Flores KO 12 (15), 1:45 8 Mar 1981 City Gymnasium, Gushikawa, Japan Lost WBA light-flyweight title
23 Win 23–0 Pedro Flores UD 15 12 Oct 1980 Jissen Rinri Hall, Kanazawa, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
22 Win 22–0 Martin Vargas KO 8 (15), 1:42 1 Jun 1980 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
21 Win 21–0 Yong-Hyun Kim UD 15 27 Jan 1980 Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
20 Win 20–0 Tito Abella KO 7 (15), 0:53 28 Oct 1979 Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
19 Win 19–0 Rafael Pedroza UD 15 29 Jul 1979 City Gymnasium, Kitakyushu, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
18 Win 18–0 Alfonso Lopez KO 7 (15), 2:47 8 Apr 1979 Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
17 Win 17–0 Rigoberto Marcano KO 7 (15), 2:47 7 Jan 1979 City Gymnasium, Kawasaki, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
16 Win 16–0 Sang Il Jung KO 5 (15), 0:22 15 Oct 1978 Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
15 Win 15–0 Mak Dong Kim KO 6 (15), 2:22 14 Aug 1978 City Gymnasium, Ōmiya, Japan
14 Win 14–0 Jaime Rios KO 13 (15), 2:59 7 May 1978 Prefectural Gymnasium, Hiroshima, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
13 Win 13–0 Aniceto Vargas KO 14 (15), 0:27 29 Jan 1978 Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
12 Win 12–0 Montsayarm Haw Mahachai KO 4 (15), 2:17 9 Oct 1977 Hot Spring Pool, Beppu, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
11 Win 11–0 Rigoberto Marcano SD 15 22 May 1977 Makomanai Indoor Arena, Sapporo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
10 Win 10–0 Jaime Rios SD 15 30 Jan 1977 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan Retained WBA light-flyweight title
9 Win 9–0 Juan Antonio Guzmán KO 7 (15), 0:32 10 Oct 1976 Yamanashi Gakuin Gym, Kofu, Japan Won WBA light-flyweight title
8 Win 8–0 Toshihisa Takii KO 3 (10), 2:44 16 Jul 1976 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7 Win 7–0 Cesar Gomez Kee KO 7 (10), 2:16 23 Jan 1976 City Gymnasium, Kawasaki, Japan
6 Win 6–0 Shoji Warabino KO 6 (10), 1:25 19 Oct 1975 City Gymnasium, Okinawa, Japan
5 Win 5–0 Yasuo Jo PTS 6 25 Jun 1975 Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan
4 Win 4–0 Yasunobu Nitta KO 4 (8), 2:36 9 Mar 1975 Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan
3 Win 3–0 Tadahiro Mihara KO 5 (6), 2:45 9 Dec 1974 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2 Win 2–0 Koichi Maki PTS 4 10 Sep 1974 Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan
1 Win 1–0 Koichi Maki PTS 4 28 May 1974 Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
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See also

References
  1. "BoxRec: List of WBA light-flyweight title fights". boxrec.com. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  2. 具志堅用高 (in Japanese). Ohta Productions. Retrieved 9 August 2013.
  3. http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/11978825/riddick-bowe-ray-boom-boom-mancini-highlight-international-boxing-hall-fame-selections
Achievements
Preceded by
Juan Antonio Guzman		 WBA Light Flyweight Champion
10 Oct 1976– 8 Mar 1981		 Succeeded by
Pedro Flores


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