# Yoko Gushiken

Yoko Gushiken (具志堅 用高, Gushiken Yōkō, born 26 June 1955) is a Japanese former professional boxer who competed from 1974 to 1981. He held the WBA light-flyweight title from 1976 to 1981, making a total of 13 successful defences. Following his retirement from boxing, he remains popular in Japan as a tarento having signed a contract with Ohta Production. He is well known in Japan for his comical trademark looks of perm afro hair style.
Gushiken was inducted in 2015 to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

## Biography

Gushiken was known for having strong stamina, allowing him to pressure opponents into mistakes after many rounds. His southpaw stance allowed him to take advantage of many mistakes, usually by throwing unexpected combinations of punches instead of waiting for counterpunch opportunities.
His popularity centered in mainland Japan, where he was known by the nickname Kanmuriwashi (Fierce Eagle) and crowds were normally sold out. He quickly rose through the amateur ranks and won All-Japan in high school.

### WBA light-flyweight champion

After that, he went pro and fought for the WBA light-flyweight title after just nine professional fights. He defeated Juan Antonio Guzmán, a well-seasoned pro, by knockout in the seventh round. He held the title for over four years, making thirteen defenses and winning eight by knockout.
Jaime Rios nearly defeated Gushiken in 1977 and 1978, but lost after wilting in the last rounds of the match. Other victories of note were against Panama's future world champions Alfonso Lopez and Rafael Pedroza. As with Rios, they lost after many rounds of being worn down by Gushiken.
In his thirteenth title defense, he fought Pedro Flores, winning by a close margin. In the rematch, Flores was better at reserving his energy and defeated Gushiken by knockout in the twelfth round. Many expected Gushiken to return to the ring, but he announced his retirement five months after his loss.

### Tarento

Despite retiring from boxing in 1981, he remains a popular figure in Japan. As a tarento he has appeared on countless variety and quiz shows, including "Cream Quiz! Miracle 9" where he is a regular.

## Professional boxing record

| 24 fights | 23 wins | 1 loss |
| By knockout | 15 | 1 |
| By decision | 8 | 0 |
| No. | Result | Record | Opponent | Type | Round, time | Date | Location | Notes |
| 24 | Lose | 23–1 | Pedro Flores | KO | 12 (15), 1:45 | 8 Mar 1981 | City Gymnasium, Gushikawa, Japan | Lost WBA light-flyweight title |
| 23 | Win | 23–0 | Pedro Flores | UD | 15 | 12 Oct 1980 | Jissen Rinri Hall, Kanazawa, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 22 | Win | 22–0 | Martin Vargas | KO | 8 (15), 1:42 | 1 Jun 1980 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 21 | Win | 21–0 | Yong-Hyun Kim | UD | 15 | 27 Jan 1980 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 20 | Win | 20–0 | Tito Abella | KO | 7 (15), 0:53 | 28 Oct 1979 | Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 19 | Win | 19–0 | Rafael Pedroza | UD | 15 | 29 Jul 1979 | City Gymnasium, Kitakyushu, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 18 | Win | 18–0 | Alfonso Lopez | KO | 7 (15), 2:47 | 8 Apr 1979 | Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 17 | Win | 17–0 | Rigoberto Marcano | KO | 7 (15), 2:47 | 7 Jan 1979 | City Gymnasium, Kawasaki, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 16 | Win | 16–0 | Sang Il Jung | KO | 5 (15), 0:22 | 15 Oct 1978 | Kokugikan, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 15 | Win | 15–0 | Mak Dong Kim | KO | 6 (15), 2:22 | 14 Aug 1978 | City Gymnasium, Ōmiya, Japan | |
| 14 | Win | 14–0 | Jaime Rios | KO | 13 (15), 2:59 | 7 May 1978 | Prefectural Gymnasium, Hiroshima, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 13 | Win | 13–0 | Aniceto Vargas | KO | 14 (15), 0:27 | 29 Jan 1978 | Aichi Prefectural Gym, Nagoya, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 12 | Win | 12–0 | Montsayarm Haw Mahachai | KO | 4 (15), 2:17 | 9 Oct 1977 | Hot Spring Pool, Beppu, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 11 | Win | 11–0 | Rigoberto Marcano | SD | 15 | 22 May 1977 | Makomanai Indoor Arena, Sapporo, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 10 | Win | 10–0 | Jaime Rios | SD | 15 | 30 Jan 1977 | Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan | Retained WBA light-flyweight title |
| 9 | Win | 9–0 | Juan Antonio Guzmán | KO | 7 (15), 0:32 | 10 Oct 1976 | Yamanashi Gakuin Gym, Kofu, Japan | Won WBA light-flyweight title |
| 8 | Win | 8–0 | Toshihisa Takii | KO | 3 (10), 2:44 | 16 Jul 1976 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 7 | Win | 7–0 | Cesar Gomez Kee | KO | 7 (10), 2:16 | 23 Jan 1976 | City Gymnasium, Kawasaki, Japan | |
| 6 | Win | 6–0 | Shoji Warabino | KO | 6 (10), 1:25 | 19 Oct 1975 | City Gymnasium, Okinawa, Japan | |
| 5 | Win | 5–0 | Yasuo Jo | PTS | 6 | 25 Jun 1975 | Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan | |
| 4 | Win | 4–0 | Yasunobu Nitta | KO | 4 (8), 2:36 | 9 Mar 1975 | Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan | |
| 3 | Win | 3–0 | Tadahiro Mihara | KO | 5 (6), 2:45 | 9 Dec 1974 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |
| 2 | Win | 2–0 | Koichi Maki | PTS | 4 | 10 Sep 1974 | Onoyama Gym, Naha, Japan | |
| 1 | Win | 1–0 | Koichi Maki | PTS | 4 | 28 May 1974 | Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan | |