Jiro Watanabe

McGrain · 05-29-2008, 07:05 AM

26(17) & 2

There are greater fighters to have hailed from Japan, but could Watanabe be the most talented? Unified titles at Super Flyweight before politics led to his being stripped of the WBA (in very dubious circumstances if my understanding is correct).

Technically sound and mobile, he was hard to hit clean, although he should be considered a box-puncher in my view, often in the danger-zone looking to land. Showing good footwork and a cool head, with power in both hands and good head movement he should be considered a live threat to anyone at the weight in my view and is perhaps another one of the east's underated fighters (interesting that some, like Harada and Galaxy are considered overated, and others, like Watanabe and Wajima fly so firmly under the radar...what's in a name?).

He had weaknesses of course, he tended to retreat in a straight line when his man became aggressive which you don't like to see, and it looks to me like he may have underused what was an excellent jab, but he has excellent punching form. Never stopped.

His resume is far from stellar and he never fought outside the east - I think just Japan and Korea.

Anyone interested in this fighter? Anyone rate him?

His defence against Suk Hwan Yun in two parts. He is actually on the wane here, but I can't find anything else on YouTube:

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]

teeto · 05-29-2008, 07:40 AM

Thanks for bringing up the interest McGrain, ive always been interested to find out more, most of what i know is on paper only unfortunately about this man

Rebel-INS · 05-29-2008, 01:49 PM

I can honestly say I dont know much about him, how do you think he would do against great fighters around his weight class?

Mantequilla · 05-29-2008, 05:50 PM

Excellent fighter.

Doesn't get the hype Galaxy does, yet was quite a bit better in my opinion.

McGrain · 05-29-2008, 06:39 PM

I hate everyone on this forum apart from Teeto, Rebel-INS and Mantequilla. Good old Mantequilla.

Rebel-INS · 05-29-2008, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McGrain

I hate everyone on this forum apart from Teeto, Rebel-INS and Mantequilla. Good old Mantequilla.

Yeah everyone else are gay.

McGrain · 05-29-2008, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebel-INS

Yeah everyone else are gay.

Yeah.

Raging B(_)LL · 05-29-2008, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantequilla

Excellent fighter.

Doesn't get the hype Galaxy does, yet was quite a bit better in my opinion.

Very, very true. Galaxy was the least talented of all the superflys of that era and I never understood why he gets so much attention today, although I think the reason for that would probably be because of that haircut he had... McGrain would attest to that I`m sure.

McGrain · 05-29-2008, 06:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raging B(_)LL

I never understood why he gets so much attention today, although I think the reason for that would probably be because of that haircut he had... McGrain would attest to that I`m sure.

That's the haircut angels have.

Rebel-INS · 05-29-2008, 07:02 PM

Anyone wanna answer my first question?
How dya think he would stack up against the greats at a similar weightclass?

Raging B(_)LL · 05-29-2008, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebel-INS

Anyone wanna answer my first question?
How dya think he would stack up against the greats at a similar weightclass?

I would favour him over Galaxy, Moon, Konadu, Laciar, and had he met Roman when both were at their best i`d say it is a pick`em, as by the time Gilberto got to him Jiro was on the downslope of his career.

Drew101 · 05-29-2008, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raging B(_)LL

I would favour him over Galaxy, Moon, Konadu, Laciar, and had he met Roman when both were at their best i`d say it is a pick`em, as by the time Gilberto got to him Jiro was on the downslope of his career.

Yeah, he was clearly the most talented fighter of his era at 115lbs. In terms of hypothetical dream matches at 115lbs, I think maybe Tapia might have the best chance out of all of them to defeat him, based solely on workrate and chin. Real close match, though.

Raging B(_)LL · 05-29-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Drew101

Yeah, he was clearly the most talented fighter of his era at 115lbs. In terms of hypothetical dream matches at 115lbs, I think maybe Tapia might have the best chance out of all of them to defeat him, based solely on workrate and chin. Real close match, though.

I forgot about Tapia to be honest, but your right though in saying that he would have had a good shout at winning, although I`d still favour Watanabe at his best. Say Drew, you still looking for a copy of Seabrooks/Cordova? because if so I got one albeit it is missing 4 rounds those being rounds 2,3,4,5.... let me know.

Raging B(_)LL · 05-29-2008, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mantequilla

Excellent fighter.

Doesn't get the hype Galaxy does, yet was quite a bit better in my opinion.

Say Mantequila, you ever get around to watching Harada vs Rudkin yet?

Mantequilla · 05-29-2008, 08:07 PM

I haven't seen it, but i think it might be among the ever rising backlog of fights i still have to watch.

I've read it was a good competitve effort from Rudkin.

05-29-2008, 07:05 AM	#1
McGrain Diamond Dog East Side VIP Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 63,274 vCash: 1000	Jiro Watanabe 26(17) & 2 There are greater fighters to have hailed from Japan, but could Watanabe be the most talented? Unified titles at Super Flyweight before politics led to his being stripped of the WBA (in very dubious circumstances if my understanding is correct). Technically sound and mobile, he was hard to hit clean, although he should be considered a box-puncher in my view, often in the danger-zone looking to land. Showing good footwork and a cool head, with power in both hands and good head movement he should be considered a live threat to anyone at the weight in my view and is perhaps another one of the east's underated fighters (interesting that some, like Harada and Galaxy are considered overated, and others, like Watanabe and Wajima fly so firmly under the radar...what's in a name?). He had weaknesses of course, he tended to retreat in a straight line when his man became aggressive which you don't like to see, and it looks to me like he may have underused what was an excellent jab, but he has excellent punching form. Never stopped. His resume is far from stellar and he never fought outside the east - I think just Japan and Korea. Anyone interested in this fighter? Anyone rate him? His defence against Suk Hwan Yun in two parts. He is actually on the wane here, but I can't find anything else on YouTube: [Only registered and activated users can see links. ] [Only registered and activated users can see links. ]
Top

05-29-2008, 07:40 AM	#2
teeto Next Level Predictions East Side VIP Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Team Ireland Manor, Easing Pabuiao into the life of managing the GOAT Posts: 33,956 vCash: 1000	Re: Jiro Watanabe Thanks for bringing up the interest McGrain, ive always been interested to find out more, most of what i know is on paper only unfortunately about this man
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05-29-2008, 01:49 PM	#3
Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy ESB Addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,422 vCash: 1000	Re: Jiro Watanabe I can honestly say I dont know much about him, how do you think he would do against great fighters around his weight class?
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05-29-2008, 05:50 PM	#4
Mantequilla Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2,495 vCash: 1000	Re: Jiro Watanabe Excellent fighter. Doesn't get the hype Galaxy does, yet was quite a bit better in my opinion.
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05-29-2008, 06:39 PM	#5
McGrain Diamond Dog East Side VIP Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 63,274 vCash: 1000	Re: Jiro Watanabe I hate everyone on this forum apart from Teeto, Rebel-INS and Mantequilla. Good old Mantequilla.
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05-29-2008, 07:02 PM	#10
Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy ESB Addict Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,422 vCash: 1000	Re: Jiro Watanabe Anyone wanna answer my first question? How dya think he would stack up against the greats at a similar weightclass?
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05-29-2008, 08:07 PM	#15
Mantequilla Belt holder ESB Addict Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 2,495 vCash: 1000	Re: Jiro Watanabe I haven't seen it, but i think it might be among the ever rising backlog of fights i still have to watch. I've read it was a good competitve effort from Rudkin.
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