This article only covers series-related information on Jirō Watanabe
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Jirō Watanabe (渡辺二郎, Watanabe Jirō) is a Japanese former boxer. Watanabe, who fought only in Japan and South Korea, was one of the first World super flyweight champions, as the division was relatively new when he was crowned.
In August 1995, he was arrested for blackmail. He ran an import business in Osaka, and threatened the debtors by saying that he would beat them to death. Police suspended judgement on the matter, so he was released.
In October 1999, he was arrested for giving a gun to a friend who was prosecuted for murder. In July 2000, he was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months imprisonment.
After being released in 2004, he was arrested for blackmail along with Kenji Haga, ex-actor, and a yakuza of Yamaguchigumi, on 30 June 2007. He has denied the suspicion, but Japan Boxing Commission banished him on 27 July 2007.
References in Hajime no Ippo[]
- In Round 9, on the way to Kamogawa Boxing Gym, Fujii Minoru mentioned that most new boxers were "weak" unlike Watanabe Jirō and Yoko Gushiken, who were "Worldly" when they started out, and had a serious look.
- In Round 27, Aoki Masaru pointed out that boxers like Fighting Harada, Watanabe Jirō, and Muguruma Takuya have all been victors of the All Japan Rookie King Tournament. The Rookie King Tournament is a gateway for champions.
Round 240 - Jirō Watanabe
- In Round 240, during the Sendō Takeshi vs. Shigeta Akira match, where Kamogawa told Makunouchi Ippo that Shigeta was like Watanabe Jirō. He was an orthodox fighting that switched stances in order to create an unorthodox strike pattern, making landing vicious blows with the dominate arm far simpler.
Trivia[]
- Watanabe Saburō is modelled after Jirō Watanabe.