Hideyuki Ohashi on developing Naoya Inoue and fighting legends

Hideyuki Ohashi ended Japan's nightmare in 1990 when he knocked out Jum Hwan Choi in the ninth round to claim the WBC strawweight title. The victory snapped an ignominious 21-fight losing streak by Japanese challengers in world title bouts and made Ohashi a national hero overnight. Three decades later, the 61-year-old promoter has built the largest boxing club in Japan and shaped the career of Naoya Inoue, the man he calls a true once-in-150-years talent.

In an interview with The Ring magazine published this week, Ohashi reflected on the seismic impact of his 1990 title win. After the stoppage, a black limousine whisked him straight to TV Asahi for a news appearance, then on to NHK. The next day brought an invitation to the prime minister's office, where Toshiki Kaifu personally presented him with a tie pin. "It was shocking for me as well, in many ways," Ohashi said, per The Ring. "After that victory, so many things in my life changed dramatically."

Fighting Jung Koo Chang left the deepest mark

Despite the euphoria of winning the title, Ohashi said his losses left a stronger impression than his victories. His first world title challenge stands out most: a fifth-round knockout defeat to Jung Koo Chang in Seoul in 1986. The arena held 40,000 spectators, and Ohashi could not hear his cornerman Kenji Yonekura over the roar. Japanese supporters were told to rush the ring immediately if Ohashi won because a riot might break out. "Even that is a good memory now," he told The Ring. He challenged Chang again and hurt him badly in the third round of their rematch, but the Korean champion kept coming. "His eyes rolled back — but he still came forward. That was incredible," Ohashi said.

Ohashi retired with five losses on his record, which he joked disqualifies him from the "once-in-150-years genius" label his trainer gave him. But after retirement, he believes he met the real article. Inoue probably will not come around again for another 150 years, Ohashi said. The promoter now oversees preparations for Saturday's superfight between Inoue and Junto Nakatani, which he described as the crown jewel of his promotional career. The full interview covers Ohashi's development of Inoue from amateur standout to the greatest Japanese boxer ever, along with his views on rule changes and the sport's shifting landscape since the 1990s.

Source: ringmagazine.com