Most exciting fighter from Japan

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Flo_Raiden, Apr 16, 2026.


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  1. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Japanese fighters are usually never in a boring fight and some of them have been involved in some very crowd pleasing, high drama fights on more than one occasion. But which fighter from Japan would you say is the most consistently exciting fighter where they've been in at least 3 FOTY level bouts?

    Joichiro Tatsuyoshi is the first guy to come to mind. He was almost like the Japanese version of Arturo Gatti.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 16, 2026
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 16, 2026
    #1
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  2. haNZAgod

    haNZAgod Member Full Member

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    Fighting Harada has to be my pick. Relentless pressure for 15 rounds.
     
    haNZAgod, Apr 16, 2026
    haNZAgod, Apr 16, 2026
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  3. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    That guy who fought Don Frye
     
    Last edited: Apr 16, 2026
    NoNeck, Apr 16, 2026
    NoNeck, Apr 16, 2026
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  4. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    I think that was the same guy who fought Don Frye.

    What about Japanese boxers? I'm sure you find Naoya Inoue exciting to watch.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 16, 2026
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 16, 2026
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  5. NoNeck

    NoNeck Pugilist Specialist

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    Yes, Frye.

    Murata is the first name that pops in my head.
     
    NoNeck, Apr 16, 2026
    NoNeck, Apr 16, 2026
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  6. George Crowcroft

    George Crowcroft He Who Saw The Deep Full Member

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    Katsunari Takayama
    Joichiro Tatsuyoshi
    Naoto Takahashi
    Katsuo Tokashiki
    Akira Yaegashi
     
    George Crowcroft, Apr 16, 2026
    George Crowcroft, Apr 16, 2026
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  7. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Takanori Hatakeyama also had a number of grueling fights. His fights with Sakamoto, Arasawa and Choi were incredible.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 16, 2026
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 16, 2026
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  8. roughdiamond

    roughdiamond Ridin' the rails... Full Member

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    Naoto Takahashi for me. His bouts are movie level extreme violence and exchanging. A few boxers have one of these in their career, whereas his entire career was just back and forth wars. Though he has paid for it with his health unfortunately.

    His bout with Sakamoto is amazing. One of the best all Japan bouts of all time. Hatakeyama was a very versatile fighter. Still incredible to me that he never had an amateur career.
     
    roughdiamond, Apr 16, 2026
    roughdiamond, Apr 16, 2026
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  9. Flo_Raiden

    Flo_Raiden Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Another action fighter from Japan worth mentioning: Takuya Muguruma. Come forward non stop aggression from start to finish. His fight with Wilfredo Vazquez is still one of the best fights I’ve seen that ends in a draw.
     
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 17, 2026
    Flo_Raiden, Apr 17, 2026
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  10. Saintpat

    Saintpat Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Tokyo Douglas.
     
    Saintpat, Apr 17, 2026
    Saintpat, Apr 17, 2026
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  11. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    And one of the most underappreciated p4p'ers since I've been on this forum, imo. Harada and Canzoneri both are guys I just don't understand aren't more awe-inspiring to other posters that I've seen. Awesome fighters.
     
    Boxed Ears, Apr 17, 2026
    Boxed Ears, Apr 17, 2026
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  12. Boxed Ears

    Boxed Ears this my daddy's account (RIP daddy) Full Member

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    I have all his DVD's.
     
    Boxed Ears, Apr 17, 2026
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  13. robert ungurean

    robert ungurean Богдан Philadelphia Full Member

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    Harada and Inoue for me
     
    robert ungurean, Apr 18, 2026
    robert ungurean, Apr 18, 2026
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  14. Seamus

    Seamus Proud Kulak Full Member

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    Shinji Takehara!
     
    Seamus, Apr 18, 2026
    Seamus, Apr 18, 2026
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  15. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    Katsuya Onikuza has yet to be mentioned, and that's a *glaring* oversight.
     
    Drew101, Apr 18, 2026
    Drew101, Apr 18, 2026
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