There have been lots of interesting "September 9th's" in Asian boxing and whilst we obviously can't list everything we have picked the most important. In 1949 the world saw the birth of one of the key figures in not just Asian boxing but world boxing, Akihiko Honda. Honda, the man now in charge of Teiken Promotions, is the most powerful man in Asian boxing and is one the most influential men in international boxing with power that not only runs through Japan but world wide. As a promoter he manages some of the most significant fighters in Japan, such as Shinsuke Yamanaka and Takashi Miura, he also promoters Roman Gonzalez, Jorge Linares and has a share in Carlos Cuadras. That sort of reach is unmatched by almost every other promoter in the world. Exactly 32 years after the birth of Mr Honda we saw the birth of Thailand's Prasitsak Papoem, AKA Kwanpichit OnesongchaiGym. Kwanpichit, at the time of writing, is 27-0-2 and lined up for a major fight with Zou Shiming in what is clearly a make or break fight for both men involved. Although not as significant as Mr Honda we may see Kwanpichit play a big part in Chinese boxing, especially if he upsets Shiming. In terms of major fights we've had them too, with some wins and some losses for Asians. In 1979 WBC Flyweight king Chan-Hee Park fought to a 15 round draw with the exceptional Miguel Canto. The bout, fought in South Korea, was the second defence for Park who had beaten Canto 6 months earlier to win the title. Sadly for Chan his reign came to an end in May 1980 when he lost the first of 3 bouts with Shoji Oguma by KO in the 9th round. Park would attempt to avenge his loss to Oguma but twice lose narrow decisions before winding down his career which came to an end after an upset loss in December 1982 to Wick Tengam. In 1992 Filipino fans were able to celebrate as the heavy handed, and extremely young, Morris East knocked out Akinobu Hiranaka and claimed the WBA Light Welterweight title. The knock out, in round 11, was later named Ring Magazine's KO of the year. Sadly for East he would lose the belt in his very next fight suffering an 8th round stoppage to Juan Martin Coggi. As for Hiranaka this would be his final bout. A full 12 years after the East/Hiranaka bout we saw another notable world title bout with an Asian as South Korea's Yo-Sam Choi attempted to claim the WBA Flyweight title. Unfortunately for Choi he was unable to defeat the talented Lorenzo Parra, a man who would become a thorn in the side of Asian boxers with wins over Takefuni Sakata, Choi and Trash Nakanuma. This was Choi's last loss and he won would his next 6 bouts before sadly passing away from injuries sustained in his fight with Heri Amol. Exactly 2 years after Choi's loss to Parra we saw another world title bout, this time however the bout took place in Indonesia. This time the bout featured Chris John who successfully defended his WBA Featherweight title with a clear win over the over-matched Renan Acosta. Whilst the bout it's self won't have done anything to have enhanced John's reputation as a fighter it was notable for one major reason, it was his first fight after beating Juan Manuel Marquez 6 months earlier. John was technically making the 6th defence of his world title though in reality many felt his reign had just began, whatever your view we all know he kept that title until 2013 when he was finally beaten by Simpiwe Vetyeka. (Image, or Mr Honda, courtesy of boxrec.com)
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