Kimio Hirano Took Japanese Title Experience Into a Ricardo
Kimio Hirano challenged Ricardo López for the WBC minimumweight championship in Shizuoka, Japan, on May 19, 1991. López retained the title by eighth-round technical knockout.
The Japanese championship route
Hirano began his professional career in January 1987. He won the Japanese light flyweight championship by knocking out Shin Sayama in the fourth round in September 1989.
He retained the national belt with a draw against Katsumi Komiyama in February 1990 before vacating it. A subsequent victory over Sung-Kyu Kim preceded his world-title challenge against López.
After the world-title bid
Hirano later contested vacant Japanese light flyweight titles against Shiro Yahiro in March 1992 and Masahide Makiyama in May 1993, losing both by decision. He also challenged Puma Toguchi for the Japanese flyweight championship in April 1996, losing by stoppage.
His final listed appearance was a decision victory over Archie Villamor in Numazu in October 1999. His compiled professional record contains seventeen wins, eight defeats and three draws.
Before turning to boxing, Hirano competed in middle-distance athletics at Yoshihara Commercial High School. He moved to Tokyo to join Watanabe Gym rather than follow his father’s preference for university. His later comeback victories included decisions over Ken Moriyama, Akihiro Okada and Hisashi Tokushima. Despite repeated championship opportunities, the national light flyweight belt remained his principal professional title.
Sources
- Boxing Meikan: Hirano’s Japanese championship and world-title results
- BoxerList: Hirano’s career record, Shizuoka challenge and final appearance
