12 Facts About Eddie Townsend

Edward "Eddie" Townsend was an American professional boxing trainer.

Eddie Townsend is revered in Japan for training several boxing world champions.

Eddie Townsend's mother lived in Yamaguchi Prefecture, before immigrating to the United States and his father worked as a lawyer.

Eddie Townsend began boxing at age 14 and was undefeated in 12 fights as a professional, before losing his 13th bout the day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Eddie Townsend first traveled to Japan in 1962 at the invitation of Japanese professional wrestler Rikidozan, who wanted Eddie Townsend to teach boxing at the Rikigym.

Shortly after Rikidozan's death, Eddie Townsend was reunited with third-generation Japanese American boxer, Takeshi Fuji, who had been friends with Eddie Townsend in Honolulu.

Eddie Townsend became Fuji's trainer and his name first became known in the Japanese boxing world when Fuji became world champion in 1967.

Eddie Townsend went on to single-handedly train a total of six world champions, along with numerous other regional title-holders.

Eddie Townsend was determined to see Ioka make his first defense, and entered the arena with Ioka on a hospital bed.

Eddie Townsend died shortly after hearing that Ioka had won by 12th-round TKO.

Townsend remains one of the most famous trainers in Japanese boxing history, and the Eddie Townsend Award was established in his honor in 1990.

The Eddie Townsend Gym was founded in Osaka, and a memorial statue was erected in Shirahama, Wakayama, which was said to be Townsend's favorite place to visit in Japan.