Questions for Fighting Harada?

Most likely it was the Arias fight. I have information on every single Jofre fight and most of the fights from the Bantamweight title onwards include purse information but translated into Brazilian currency of the day. I will try to have a look when I get a chance.

 

Nice! I may have to download a few of those. Harada is a guy I re-watch often. It sucks going back to a blurry copy after you’ve seen a clean, crisp one.

 

Harada answered my questions. I submitted about 20. They sent me a photo of him answering them at the WBO convention last week. I will post them up in the next few days.

 

• 1. Who was your trainer and how were you able to develop your elite skills?

Became the Flyweight champion at 19years old with the guidance of my trainer Yoshihiro Sasaki whom was also my nephew.

• 2. Do you like to watch your old fights on film?

I love to watch old films of my fights. I’m impressed with the amount of punches I throw during the fight.

• 3. How did you feel when you were inducted into the international boxing hall of fame in New York?

Even though I was fighting in the unpopular smaller division, I was happy to be recognized in the US to receive the HOF. Maybe it was because I fought toe-to-toe, traded punches a lot that made people happy to watch.

• 4. When do you feel you were at your absolute peak as a fighter?

My peak as a boxer was probably when I first won the flyweight title at 19 years old.

• 5. What do you feel were your greatest attributes as a boxer? What set you apart?

People remember me because I won the title against a globally known champions like Eder Jofre, who was undefeated at the time.

• 6. How does it make you feel when you hear people say you were the best boxer from Japan and one of the greatest boxers of all-time pound for pound?

Again, I was fortunate to had fought great champions like Jofre to get attention from around the world.
2/4

• 7. What type of diet did you keep when you were in training and was it much different when you were not training?

I ran a lot to lose weight and gain stamina. I didn’t eat, had little sips of soup.

• 8. In your time you stayed busy in the time between your title fights with non-title fights. What were the main reasons for this? Was it mainly to stay sharp and keep the weight down?

This isn’t common today do you think this is a bad thing or a good thing?
Back in the days, It was common to fight multiple times in a month. So it was normal to fight and train continuously and keep the weight. The greatest enemy was inside yourself to stay disciplined.

• 9. What was the reason that you went to Thailand for a re-match with Kingpetch? You destroyed him in Japan and became the champion. Do you regret going to Thailand? They stole that title from you.

I don’t regret going to Thailand for the rematch.

• 10. When you fought Eder Jofre the first time how was the preparation and your impression of him as a champion? Did you train any differently for these fights and change strategies compared to other opponents?

Nothing special that I trained for Jofre. I did what I could and worked on my stamina. I didn’t change the way I boxed depending on opponent. I trained to do what I do best.
11. How would you describe the qualities of Eder Jofre as a fighter?
12. What was your impression of those fights? Did you feel you deserved the victory in each fight?
I won against a great champion Jofre. It couldn’t get any better.
3/4
13. Would you have taken a fight with him in Brazil?
I would of taken a fight if it was in Brazil. Jofre was also a great person.
14. Which Eder Jofre fight do you feel was harder and why?
Both fights were tough. Which made both fights great.
15. Does it upset you after all these years still knowing that they robbed you in Australia for your third title? Who do you feel was better between Famechon and Rose?
Rose was the better fighter
16. How would you describe the qualities of Jose Medel as a fighter?
Jose was also a good fighter, Jose, Jofre are opponents that I remember the most . I was lucky to have faced great fighters as those two.

17. How do you feel about the quality of Naoya Inoue? Do you think he would have been a good champion in your era?
Inoue is still young. He will become better
18. Do you like to keep up to date with the boxing scene in Japan and worldwide currently?
I do follow boxing a little, but I would like to train young fighters.

19. How did it make you feel to be such a popular figure in Japan who so many people say on television?
I had my time, now is the time for fighters in this generation. I hope them to work hard to make a name for them selves for the next generation.