Jiro Watanabe

Discussion in 'Classic Boxing Forum' started by McGrain, May 29, 2008.


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  1. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    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:


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdQ0ewngX98


    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CfvAAn4AcqI
     
    McGrain, May 29, 2008
    McGrain, May 29, 2008
    #1
  2. teeto

    teeto Obsessed with Boxing banned

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    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
     
    teeto, May 29, 2008
    teeto, May 29, 2008
    #2
  3. Rebel-INS

    Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy Full Member

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    I can honestly say I dont know much about him, how do you think he would do against great fighters around his weight class?
     
    Rebel-INS, May 29, 2008
    Rebel-INS, May 29, 2008
    #3
  4. Mantequilla

    Mantequilla Boxing Addict Full Member

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    Excellent fighter.

    Doesn't get the hype Galaxy does, yet was quite a bit better in my opinion.
     
    Mantequilla, May 29, 2008
    Mantequilla, May 29, 2008
    #4
  5. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    I hate everyone on this forum apart from Teeto, Rebel-INS and Mantequilla. Good old Mantequilla.
     
    McGrain, May 29, 2008
    McGrain, May 29, 2008
    #5
  6. Rebel-INS

    Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy Full Member

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    Yeah everyone else are gay.
     
    Rebel-INS, May 29, 2008
    Rebel-INS, May 29, 2008
    #6
  7. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    Yeah.
     
    McGrain, May 29, 2008
    McGrain, May 29, 2008
    #7
  8. Raging B(_)LL

    Raging B(_)LL KAPOW!!! Full Member

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    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.

    :D
     
    Raging B(_)LL, May 29, 2008
    Raging B(_)LL, May 29, 2008
    #8
  9. McGrain

    McGrain Diamond Dog Staff Member

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    That's the haircut angels have.
     
    McGrain, May 29, 2008
    McGrain, May 29, 2008
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  10. Rebel-INS

    Rebel-INS Mighty Healthy Full Member

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    Anyone wanna answer my first question?
    How dya think he would stack up against the greats at a similar weightclass?
     
    Rebel-INS, May 29, 2008
    Rebel-INS, May 29, 2008
    #10
  11. Raging B(_)LL

    Raging B(_)LL KAPOW!!! Full Member

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    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.
     
    Raging B(_)LL, May 29, 2008
    Raging B(_)LL, May 29, 2008
    #11
  12. Drew101

    Drew101 Obsessed with Boxing Full Member

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    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.
     
    Drew101, May 29, 2008
    Drew101, May 29, 2008
    #12
  13. Raging B(_)LL

    Raging B(_)LL KAPOW!!! Full Member

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    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, May 29, 2008
    Raging B(_)LL, May 29, 2008
    #13
  14. Raging B(_)LL

    Raging B(_)LL KAPOW!!! Full Member

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    Say Mantequila, you ever get around to watching Harada vs Rudkin yet?
     
    Raging B(_)LL, May 29, 2008
    Raging B(_)LL, May 29, 2008
    #14
  15. Mantequilla

    Mantequilla Boxing Addict Full Member

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    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.
     
    Mantequilla, May 29, 2008
    Mantequilla, May 29, 2008
    #15
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