Tokyo: Former professional boxer Guts Ishimatsu, known for becoming Japan's first world lightweight champion, passed away due to pneumonia at a Tokyo hospital on June 2. He was 76 years old.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ishimatsu, whose real name was Yuji Suzuki, hailed from Tochigi Prefecture in eastern Japan. He began his professional boxing career in 1966 and initially faced a setback when he unsuccessfully challenged Panamanian boxer Roberto Duran for the World Boxing Association's lightweight title. However, he achieved a significant milestone in 1974 by winning the lightweight title of the World Boxing Council.
Ishimatsu successfully defended the WBC title five times, concluding his career with an impressive record of 31 wins, including 17 knockouts, 14 losses, and six draws. He was renowned for his powerful right-hand punches, making him a formidable opponent in the ring.
After retiring from boxing, Ishimatsu transitioned to a career in entertainment, appearing in numerous television programs and films. He became widely recognized for his catchphrase "OK bokujo," which translates to "Everything is all right." Ishimatsu also ventured into politics, running unsuccessfully in the 1996 election for Japan's House of Representatives.
In addition to his boxing and entertainment careers, Ishimatsu was a founding member and the inaugural chief of the Boxing World Champions Club Japan, an organization comprising Japanese boxers who have won world titles. His contributions to the sport and his legacy in Japanese boxing remain significant.
