Yoko Gushiken


Yoko Gushiken is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1981. He held the WBA light-flyweight title from 1976 to 1981, making a total of 13 successful defences. Following his retirement from boxing, he remains popular in Japan as a tarento having signed a contract with Ohta Production. He is well known in Japan for his comical trademark looks of perm afro hair style.
Gushiken was inducted in 2015 to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.
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Biography

Gushiken was known for having strong stamina, allowing him to pressure opponents into mistakes after many rounds. His southpaw stance allowed him to take advantage of many mistakes, usually by throwing unexpected combinations of punches instead of waiting for counterpunch opportunities.
His popularity centered in mainland Japan, where he was known by the nickname Kanmuriwashi and crowds were normally sold out. He quickly rose through the amateur ranks and won All-Japan in high school.

WBA light-flyweight champion

After that, he went pro and fought for the WBA light-flyweight title after just nine professional fights. He defeated Juan Antonio Guzmán, a well-seasoned pro, by knockout in the seventh round. He held the title for over four years, making thirteen defenses and winning eight by knockout.
Jaime Rios nearly defeated Gushiken in 1977 and 1978, but lost after wilting in the last rounds of the match. Other victories of note were against Panama's future world champions Alfonso Lopez and Rafael Pedroza. As with Rios, they lost after many rounds of being worn down by Gushiken.
In his thirteenth title defense, he fought Pedro Flores, winning by a close margin. In the rematch, Flores was better at reserving his energy and defeated Gushiken by knockout in the twelfth round. Many expected Gushiken to return to the ring, but he announced his retirement five months after his loss.

''Tarento''

Despite retiring from boxing in 1981, he remains a popular figure in Japan. As a tarento he has appeared on countless variety and quiz shows, including "Cream Quiz! Miracle 9" where he is a regular.

Professional boxing record

No.ResultRecordOpponentTypeRound, timeDateLocationNotes
24Lose23–1Pedro FloresKO12, 1:458 Mar 1981City Gymnasium, Gushikawa, JapanLost WBA light-flyweight title
23Win23–0Pedro FloresUD1512 Oct 1980Jissen Rinri Hall, Kanazawa, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
22Win22–0Martin VargasKO8, 1:421 Jun 1980Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
21Win21–0Yong-Hyun KimUD1527 Jan 1980Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
20Win20–0Tito AbellaKO7, 0:5328 Oct 1979Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
19Win19–0Rafael Pedroza1529 Jul 1979City Gymnasium, Kitakyushu, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
18Win18–0Alfonso LopezKO7, 2:478 Apr 1979Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
17Win17–0Rigoberto MarcanoKO7, 2:477 Jan 1979City Gymnasium, Kawasaki, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
16Win16–0Sang Il JungKO5, 0:2215 Oct 1978Kokugikan, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
15Win15–0Mak Dong KimKO6, 2:2214 Aug 1978City Gymnasium, Ōmiya, Japan
14Win14–0Jaime RiosKO13, 2:597 May 1978Prefectural Gymnasium, Hiroshima, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
13Win13–0Aniceto VargasKO14, 0:2729 Jan 1978Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
12Win12–0Montsayarm Haw MahachaiKO4, 2:179 Oct 1977Hot Spring Pool, Beppu, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
11Win11–0Rigoberto MarcanoSD1522 May 1977Makomanai Indoor Arena, Sapporo, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
10Win10–0Jaime Rios1530 Jan 1977 Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, JapanRetained WBA light-flyweight title
9Win9–0Juan Antonio GuzmánKO7, 0:3210 Oct 1976Yamanashi Gakuin Gym, Kofu, JapanWon WBA light-flyweight title
8Win8–0Toshihisa TakiiKO3, 2:4416 Jul 1976Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
7Win7–0Cesar Gomez KeeKO7, 2:1623 Jan 1976City Gymnasium, Kawasaki, Japan
6Win6–0Shoji WarabinoKO6, 1:2519 Oct 1975City Gymnasium, Okinawa, Japan
5Win5–0Yasuo JoPTS625 Jun 1975Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan
4Win4–0Yasunobu NittaKO4, 2:369 Mar 1975Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan
3Win3–0Tadahiro Mihara5, 2:459 Dec 1974Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan
2Win2–0Koichi MakiPTS410 Sep 1974Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan
1Win1–0Koichi Maki428 May 1974Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan