Jiro Watanabe - Forgotten Japanese Super Fly Great - 11 Title Defenses

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by Russell, Mar 27, 2018.


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  1. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Some fresh footage from one of the best ever to do it at super flyweight, Jiro Watanabe. He surely could have accomplished even more if he had retained the fire to continue past the relatively brief period of time he ended up being a part of the sport, just seven years and 28 fights total before he stepped away from the sport and never looked back.

    I've seen some legitimate excitement ripple among modern boxing fans in the past few years as some of boxing's lower weight classes, like super flyweight, have exploded in popularity and talent once again... So no better time than the present to share some new footage of one of the weight classes original great operators. Enjoy!

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    Russell, Mar 27, 2018
    Russell, Mar 27, 2018
    #1
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  2. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Where's tin_ribs been the past few days...? :(
     
    Russell, Mar 27, 2018
    Russell, Mar 27, 2018
    #2
  3. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Here I was thinking I might get to talk to some like minded people about boxing this particular evening...! :risas3:
     
    Russell, Mar 27, 2018
    Russell, Mar 27, 2018
    #3
  4. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Morbidly depressed, can't believe no one's responded yet pity bump.
     
    Russell, Mar 28, 2018
    Russell, Mar 28, 2018
    #4
  5. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    And one more time before I give up the ghost on this one.
     
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    #5
  6. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Russ, sorry I didn't catch this one. Watanabe was a favorite of mine back in the day when he and Poontarat were co-champs. I wanted to see a unification match between those two and we did. But I have a vague memory that only one title was at stake. Trying to recall if Poontarat was stripped of his title before they fought or if he vacated to make the match. I really wanted to see Watanabe move up to traditional bantam, but I guess he was making enough coin at 115 to be bothered. Did I read a few years back that he was somehow involved with the Japanese mob???
     
    scartissue, Apr 3, 2018
    scartissue, Apr 3, 2018
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  7. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Yes, I've read that as well. Wikipedia had a surprising amount of information on him, he seems to have had a hard time staying "clean" after retiring... I believe he lent a firearm to someone later convicted of a murder, and was also known to physically threaten his debtors with beatings...?
     
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    #7
  8. Saad54

    Saad54 Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    Watanabe was stripped of the WBA title when he unified the WBC title against Poontaret. He kept the WBC title for several defenses over a few years, before losing to Gilberto Roman. Kaosai Galaxy then won his vacated title and made 19 defenses over seven years.

    Watanabe/Galaxy would have been a great matchup.
     
    Saad54, Apr 3, 2018
    Saad54, Apr 3, 2018
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  9. scartissue

    scartissue Boxing Junkie Full Member

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    I agree, Watanabe's skill against Galaxy's power. What a sweet matchup.
     
    scartissue, Apr 3, 2018
    scartissue, Apr 3, 2018
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  10. Tin_Ribs

    Tin_Ribs Me Full Member

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    He was a great natural talent with impeccable schooling. Great combination puncher with excellent footwork and counter punching ability. He was lazy and frustrating though, moreso as his title reign moved on, and didn't really give a toss. I think he was a massive star in Japan at the time and get the impression that he was the type of guy who was happy to fight for the money, because he could've easily moved up to bantam and made waves there such was his ability. I was just watching the Poonterat rematch the other day, superb display and very conclusive after a tough, close initial fight where some think he was fortunate to get the nod. The form, range and variety of the punches he took Poonterat apart with was properly impressive. Same for the Ballas fight which I also rewatched not too long ago. The fighter who most recently reminds me of him is/was Rigondeaux, but I think Watanabe was more naturally gifted if anything. I think he'd have beaten Galaxy if he was focused and on-point, which he would've needed to be to offset Khaosai's strength, stamina and consistency. Too skillful a counterpuncher on the move and could really fight too if the action was forced on him.

    He is/was a dodgy ******* in private, though. Yakuza connections and all that and a bit of a piece of work by all accounts.
     
    Tin_Ribs, Apr 3, 2018
    Tin_Ribs, Apr 3, 2018
    #10
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  11. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Ah, some of classics better posters have finally seen my thread and come out. Thanks Saad, Scartissues, and Tin. It's appreciated.

    You guys really think that highly of Watanabe eh? High praise. I can't quite recall what regard he was held in over the years on here, to be honest I feel he's something of an obscure fighter even around these parts. You really don't hear the man's name very much which is odd considering what a imprint he left on such a young division that now truly matured.
     
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    #11
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  12. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Was he ranked at batnamweight by Ring? This is a thing for a couple of these boys, and I may be totally mis-remembering but didn't Ring refuse to acknowledge superfly for a bit and just treated them as little bantams :lol:

    Some badass photos of this man out there, I always thought he looked cool.
     
    McGrain, Apr 3, 2018
    McGrain, Apr 3, 2018
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  13. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Really? What kind of look did he rock back in the day?
     
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    #13
  14. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    He wore trunks and shoes :lol:

    Nah, I dunno, I always just thought he looked cool in the ring. Purposeful and relaxed.
     
    McGrain, Apr 3, 2018
    McGrain, Apr 3, 2018
    #14
  15. Russell

    Russell Loyal Member Full Member

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    Thought you meant he had some kind of particular cool look back in the day, maybe how he dressed, his hair, his "statement".

    But looking cool is good and fine as well. :lol:
     
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    Russell, Apr 3, 2018
    #15
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