Yoko Gushiken
Encyclopedia
was a Ryukyuan professional boxer
from 1974-1981. His professional record is 23-1 and he held the title of WBA
Light Flyweight
champion 1976-1981.
His popularity centered in mainland Japan
, where he was known by the nickname Fierce Eagle and crowds were normally sold out. He quickly rose through the amateur ranks and won All-Japan in high school.
Light Flyweight
crown after just nine professional fights. He defeated Juan Antonio Guzmán, a well-seasoned pro, by knockout in the seventh round. He held the championship for over four years. In thirteen defenses, he won eight by knockout.
Panamanian 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 Mexican
Pedro Flores
, winning by a close margin. In the rematch, Florez 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. While he does not box anymore, he remains a popular figure in Japan
.
Boxing
Boxing, also called pugilism, is a combat sport in which two people fight each other using their fists. Boxing is supervised by a referee over a series of between one to three minute intervals called rounds...
from 1974-1981. His professional record is 23-1 and he held the title of WBA
World Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Light Flyweight
Light flyweight
- Professional boxing :The weight limit at light flyweight in professional boxing is 108 pounds . When New York legalized boxing in 1920, the law stipulated a "junior flyweight" class, with a weight limit of 99 pounds. When the National Boxing Association was formed in 1921, it also recognized this...
champion 1976-1981.
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
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, where he was known by the nickname 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 Championship
After that, he went pro and fought for the WBAWorld Boxing Association
The World Boxing Association is a boxing organization that sanctions official matches, and awards the WBA world championship title at the professional level. It was previously known as the National Boxing Association before changing its name in 1962...
Light Flyweight
Light flyweight
- Professional boxing :The weight limit at light flyweight in professional boxing is 108 pounds . When New York legalized boxing in 1920, the law stipulated a "junior flyweight" class, with a weight limit of 99 pounds. When the National Boxing Association was formed in 1921, it also recognized this...
crown after just nine professional fights. He defeated Juan Antonio Guzmán, a well-seasoned pro, by knockout in the seventh round. He held the championship for over four years. In thirteen defenses, he won eight by knockout.
Panamanian 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 Mexican
Mexican people
Mexican people refers to all persons from Mexico, a multiethnic country in North America, and/or who identify with the Mexican cultural and/or national identity....
Pedro Flores
Pedro Flores (boxer)
Pedro Flores is a former Mexican boxer in the Lightweight division. He is the former WBA World Light Flyweight Champion.-Professional career:...
, winning by a close margin. In the rematch, Florez 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. While he does not box anymore, he remains a popular figure in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
See also
- The Gushiken Family of OkinawaGushikenGushiken , is a Japanese surname of Okinawan . Often takend to mean "strong willed" or "of firm determination", though literally Gu - ingredients/utensil/means, Shi - will/motive/bear in mind, Ken - hard/resolute/unyielding...
- List of WBA world champions
- List of light flyweight boxing champions