Q & A: Hideyuki Ohashi By Daisuke Sugiura
I n 1990, Hideyuki Ohashi became an icon in Japan when he won the WBC strawweight title by knocking out Jum Hwan Choi. He seized the WBA belt in 1992. Now, as chairman of Ohashi Gym, he is further known as the promoter who developed Naoya Inoue from an amateur standout to arguably the greatest Japanese boxer ever. Ohashi presides over the largest boxing club in Japan, and his abilities as a promoter have shaped the development of numerous world titleholders. For the hard-driving veteran, who turned 61 on March 8, the superfight being planned for May between Inoue and Junto Nakatani would represent the crown jewel of his promotional career. During this interview, which took place on January 19, Ohashi touched on memories from his fighting days, the differences between boxing then and now, his first encounter with “The Monster” and his goals for the near future.
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