Hideyuki Ohashi on developing Naoya Inoue and his 1990 title win

Hideyuki Ohashi snapped one of the most humiliating streaks in Japanese boxing history when he stopped Jum Hwan Choi in the ninth round to claim the WBC strawweight title in February 1990. Twenty-one consecutive world title losses by Japanese challengers ended that night, and Ohashi's life changed before he left the venue. A black limousine replaced his brother's car. Television networks shuttled him between studios until morning. Within days, Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu personally handed him a tie pin.

Now 61 and running Japan's largest boxing club, Ohashi spoke to The Ring about his fighting career, his work developing Naoya Inoue from amateur standout to arguably the greatest Japanese boxer ever, and how the sport has shifted over 35 years. The interview took place in January, ahead of Inoue's superfight with Junto Nakatani—a bout Ohashi calls the crown jewel of his promotional career.

From 'once-in-150-years genius' to losing five times

Ohashi carried the label of prodigy from his pro debut, courtesy of Yonekura Gym head Kenji Yonekura. "I just laughed," Ohashi said, per The Ring. "I thought, 'Boxing didn't even exist 150 years ago.'" The hype never weighed on him, even through two early world title losses. He admits the billing fell short. "A 'once-in-150-years genius' doesn't lose five times over a career," he said. "But after I retired, I may have actually met a true once-in-150-years talent. Naoya Inoue probably won't come around again for another 150 years."

His most vivid memory remains his first world title shot in 1986, when he travelled to Seoul and lost by fifth-round knockout to Jung Koo Chang in front of 40,000 spectators. The arena was so packed Ohashi could not find an aisle for his entrance, and the noise drowned out Yonekura's corner instructions. Sixty Japanese supporters were told to climb into the ring immediately if Ohashi won, because a riot might erupt. Chang's promoter even treated Ohashi to samgyetang—ginseng chicken soup—when Ohashi feigned illness before the fight, a tactic Yonekura had suggested. "That soup was incredible for my body after weight-cutting," Ohashi said. "Nowadays you can find it anywhere, but 35 years ago it was very rare in Japan."

Ohashi challenged Chang again during the champion's 15th title defence and landed a counter in the third round that nearly finished him. Chang's eyes rolled back, but he kept pressing forward. Ohashi lost by knockout anyway. The rematch with Choi four years later finally delivered the belt and the limousine, but also a stark reminder of how much the sport's profile has contracted. Yonekura used to say world title fights were bigger still in his era, Ohashi recalled, when they were true national events.

Inoue meets Nakatani on May 24 in Tokyo.

Source: ringmagazine.com