16 Facts About Akinobu Hiranaka

Akinobu Hiranaka is a former world champion boxer in the Light welterweight division.

Akinobu Hiranaka won the WBA Junior Welterweight championship of the world in 1992, and competed at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Akinobu Hiranaka is one of the few Japanese champions that lacked financial backing from large gyms or television companies, and he had to personally negotiate with opponents to land a shot at the world title.

Akinobu Hiranaka continued boxing at Nippon University, and fought in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics while attending.

Akinobu Hiranaka had a successful amateur career, making 37 of his 43 wins by knockout.

Akinobu Hiranaka won the Japanese light welterweight title in only his fourth professional fight, knocking out his opponent in the 6th round.

Akinobu Hiranaka became the WBA's top-ranked fighter in the light welterweight division, but lack of financial support made it difficult for him to challenge the world title.

Akinobu Hiranaka had to defend the Japanese light welterweight title 9 times before finally getting a fight at the world stage.

Akinobu Hiranaka challenged Juan Martin Coggi of Argentina in Italy on April 29,1989, for the WBA title.

However, Akinobu Hiranaka lost by a decision for the first loss of his career.

However, Akinobu Hiranaka spent three years without a title match, and did not fight at all in 1990.

Akinobu Hiranaka finally got his second chance in April 1992, fighting in Mexico City against Puerto Rican world champion, Edwin Rosario.

Akinobu Hiranaka immediately pinned the champion against the ropes, and landed a furious array of punches, until the referee saw that the champion Edwin Rosario had been knocked unconscious while standing up.

Akinobu Hiranaka had led the fight going into the 11th round, but was knocked out in an unexpected blow from the challenger.

Akinobu Hiranaka was diagnosed with an intracranial hemorrhage after the fight, and was forced into retirement.

Akinobu Hiranaka has the highest KO percentage of any Japanese world champion boxer.