Susumu Hanagata: The Legendary Japanese Flyweight Champion
Susumu Hanagata was a Japanese flyweight who won the World Boxing Association (WBA) title in 1974. He earned the championship with a sixth-round stoppage of Thailand’s Chartchai Chionoi in Yokohama, in a rematch after an earlier decision loss.
A rematch changed his career
Chionoi had beaten Hanagata by unanimous decision in their first meeting in Bangkok in October 1973. They fought again on October 18, 1974, in Yokohama. Hanagata stopped Chionoi in round six to win the WBA flyweight championship. Chionoi had missed weight, so the title was at stake for Hanagata only.
Hanagata’s reign was brief. He lost the belt in his first title defense, a split decision to Erbito Salavarria in April 1975. The WBA record lists no successful defenses during his reign.
The Japan Pro Boxing Association lists Hanagata’s career record as 41 wins, 16 losses, and eight draws. He later became a prominent figure in Japanese boxing administration, serving as president of the East Japan Boxing Association.
Sources
Sources: BoxRec: WBA flyweight title fights; Japan Pro Boxing Association profile; Asian Boxing: association presidency.
Career records and reporting: boxrec.com.
Tags
Boxing, Boxing History
