30 Facts About Joichiro Tatsuyoshi

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi is a former World Boxing Council world bantamweight champion from Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi is popular for his fight style and unique personality, and has appeared in several television variety shows.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi is named after Joe Yabuki, the main character of the boxing anime, Ashita no Joe.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi has a large reach in comparison with his height and is known for his distinctively low guard.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi often keeps his hands in front of his chest, unlike other boxers who usually keep their hands closer to the head.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi is managed by the Osaka Teiken boxing gym.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi was featured in a local Kansai newspaper as one of Japan's best young boxers.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi turned pro in 1989 and won the Japanese Bantamweight in his fourth professional fight.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi won the WBC World Bantamweight Title in his eighth professional fight in 1991, the fastest of any Japanese boxer.

Almost a full year after winning the title, Joichiro Tatsuyoshi fought Victor Rabanales, who had become the WBC Interim Champion during Joichiro Tatsuyoshi's inactivity.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi lost by TKO in the ninth round but vowed revenge, claiming it was his twin brother "Joujirou" who had lost the fight.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi fought Rabanales again on July 22,1993, for the WBC World Bantamweight Interim Title, defeating Rabanales by 12-round decision.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi managed to continue his career, making a comeback in July 1994 in Hawaii, knocking out his opponent in three rounds.

In December, 1994, Joichiro Tatsuyoshi fought WBC Bantamweight Champion Yasuei Yakushiji.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi challenged the WBC Super Bantamweight Champion twice in 1996 and 1997, but lost both times.

Many began to believe he was no longer capable of fighting at the world level, and in November 1997, Joichiro Tatsuyoshi challenged undefeated WBC Bantamweight Champion Sirimongkol Singwangcha, with the intent of retiring if he failed to win.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi recorded two title defenses before losing to Veeraphol Sahaprom on December 29,1998.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi challenged Sahaprom in August 1999, but lost again in the seventh round, and announced his retirement after the fight.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi changed his mind shortly afterwards and resumed his training, making a comeback fight on December 15,2002, winning by TKO after more than three years of inactivity.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi won again in September 2003, but fell into inactivity again after injuring his left knee.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi admitted that he was bullied during his early childhood.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi overcame it through boxing and never lost a street fight during his teens.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi says he never used his fists when street fighting, because a bare knuckle punch could severely injure his opponent.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi met his current wife at a cafe he stopped by during this period.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi is friends with comedian Hitoshi Matsumoto of Downtown and has appeared on his show Downtown DX.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi is friends with baseball star Ichiro Suzuki, who has attended several of Tatsuyoshi's fights.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi has appeared numerous times in the popular Japanese boxing manga Hajime no Ippo.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi had suffered several serious injuries, and his management has expressed a desire to not see him take further damage, making it difficult for him to fight in Japan.

Joichiro Tatsuyoshi "resurfaced" in Thailand in 2008 to continue his career abroad.

When commentating on televised boxing matches, Joichiro Tatsuyoshi has shown clear signs of being punch drunk, worrying his fans.