Fighting Harada

Masahiko " Fighting" Harada (Japanese原田 政 彦, Masahiko Harada, born April 5, 1943 in Tokyo) is a former Japanese boxer.

He was 16 years old pro, winning with his characteristic attack boxing his first 25 fights before he succumbed to the unknown Mexican Edmundo Esparza on points. Yet little later he got a fight for the WBA world title at flyweight and struck on 10 October 1962, the Thai legend Pone Kingpetch surprising in the eleventh round knockout. After he lost again in direct rematch in January 1963 title on points, he went up into the bantamweight.

In 1964 he went to the Mexican Jose Medel KO, but still got on May 31, 1965, a title shot against the Brasilian WBA and WBC champion Éder Jofre, who is considered one of the best Bantamgewichtler of all time and Medel had previously defeated twice by knockout.

He was the first fight controversial, but clearly decide the rematch in 1966 for himself and is thereby the only boxer who could beat Jofre and also won the only one who flyweight title and bantamweight. He defended the title four times, including Medel and the Colombian Bernardo Caraballo, who had lost in 53 fights previously only against Jofre.

In February 1968, he succumbed to the Aboriginal Lionel Rose, a counter -footed boxer on points and thus had to relinquish his title. He then moved into the featherweight.

In 1969, he lost to the Americans Alton Colter, then called in July of the year in Australia still the featherweight champion Johnny Famechon out. He had this three times on the ground and even the most Australian journalists had him clearly in the lead, the former world champion Willie Pep, who acted as referee and sole judges, the fight but evaluates to Famechons favor.

In the rematch in January 1970 he went KO. After he finished his career.

He is the only Japanese in the " International Boxing Hall of Fame".