Masamori Tokuyama boxer

Masamori Tokuyama boxer
bouts
36
won
32
lost
3
draw
1
Status
inactive
Division
super flyweight
Debut
1994-09-19
Height
5′ 7″/170cm
Reach
67″/170cm
Age
-
Born
1974-09-17
Death
-
Nationality
North Korea

Masamori Tokuyama (徳山 昌守, Tokuyama Masamori, born Chang-Soo Hong, Korean: 홍창수, Hanja: 洪昌守, on September 17, 1974) is a Japanese-born Korean former professional boxer who competed from 1994 to 2006. He held the WBC super-flyweight title twice between 2000 and 2006.Because of his affiliation with North Korea and his experience traveling to the country, he had been banned from entering South Korea and the United States. However, he changed his nationality to South Korean in February 2007. He studied Korean language at Yonsei University in South Korea in March 2007.Tokuyama was born in Tokyo, Japan as a third generation Zainichi Korean. After graduating from Tokyo Korean Junior and Senior High School, he made his professional debut in 1994, and challenged the Japanese Flyweight Title twice in 1997, but was unsuccessful both times. He won the vacant OPBF Super Flyweight Title in 1999, and defended it twice. His first world title match was against South Korean fighter In-Joo Cho in 2000, whom he beat by unanimous decision over 12 rounds, becoming the first North Korean to win a boxing world title. He defended his WBC and lineal super-flyweight titles eight times before suffering a stunning first-round knockout loss to Katsushige Kawashima in 2004. Tokuyama returned after a one-year lay-off to fight Kawashima on July 18, 2005. Tokuyama was knocked down in the last round, but dominated Kawashima for the rest of the fight, regaining his title by unanimous decision. He defended his title on February 27, 2006, beating José Navarro by unanimous decision. He relinquished his title after this fight and announced his intention to retire from boxing, but later announced that he would continue his career if he could fight Hozumi Hasegawa for the WBC bantamweight title. Tokuyama finalized his retirement on March 14, 2007, since Hasegawa declined his challenge for the bantamweight title. Tokuyama cited lack of motivation as the major reason for his retirement.Zainichi Koreans either tried to conceal their roots by adopting Japanese names, or only used their real names to show that they were Korean. However, Tokuyama did neither, using both his Japanese name (Masamori Tokuyama) and real name (Chang-soo Hong), while declaring that he is a Zainichi Korean. He has often taken politics inside the ring, carrying a North Korean flag in his entrances and wearing trunks labeled "One Korea." Many of Tokuyama's fans regard his performances as the emergence of a new generation of Zainichi Koreans, who are not afraid of their heritage, while others negatively view Tokuyama as using sports to promote a political agenda.Tokuyama visited North Korea in 2001, and reportedly made a statement vowing allegiance to the leader of North Korea, Kim Jong-il, thanking the leader for his success as a boxer.citation needed In 2002, former Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi made a visit to North Korea, which revealed the kidnappings of several Japanese citizens in the 1970s and 80s by North Korea. News of the kidnappings received huge media coverage in Japan, and Tokuyama's website was spammed relentlessly with abusive messages when it was rumored that Tokuyama commented: "They (the kidnapped Japanese citizens) might actually be living pretty happily in North Korea."citation neededHe has often used the North Korean national anthem as his entrance theme.

Date Opponent Last Opponents' Results Place Result
2006-02-27 Jose Navarro WWWLWW Central Gym, Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
2005-07-18 Katsushige Kawashima LWWWWW Central Gym, Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
2004-06-28 Katsushige Kawashima WWWLWW Arena, Yokohama LOST
Technical knockout
2004-01-03 Dmitry Kirillov WWLWWW Central Gym, Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
2003-06-23 Katsushige Kawashima WWWWWW Arena, Yokohama WIN
Unanimous decision
2002-12-20 Gerry Penalosa WWLWWW Osaka-Jo Hall, Osaka WIN
Split-decision
2002-08-26 Erik Lopez LWDLWW Super Arena, Saitama WIN
Corner retirement
2002-03-23 Kazuhiro Ryuko WWDWWW Arena, Yokohama WIN
KO
2001-09-24 Gerry Penalosa LWLWWW Arena, Yokohama WIN
Unanimous decision
2001-05-20 In Joo Cho WWWWWL Sheraton Walker Hill Hotel, Seoul WIN
KO
2000-12-12 Akihiko Nago WWLWWW Maizu Arena, Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
2000-08-27 In Joo Cho WWWWWW Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
2000-05-20 Jack Siahaya LLLLLW Osaka WIN
KO
1999-12-13 Kang-Woong Lee WWWWDL Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
1999-09-17 Pone Saengmorakot WWWWLW Osaka WIN
Points
1999-06-24 Tatsuya Imazu WLWWLW Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
1999-04-19 Takuya Kiya WWWWWW WIN
Points
1998-12-19 Hiroki Ioka WLWWLW Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka WIN
Technical knockout
1998-10-27 Katsuhiko Yoshikai DLLLWL Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka WIN
Technical knockout
1997-11-25 Nolito Cabato WWWDWD Osaka LOST
1997-10-14 Katsuhiko Yoshikai LLWDLL Osaka WIN
Points
1997-06-02 Roy Tarazona LLLLLW Osaka WIN
Points
1997-04-05 Nolito Cabato WWWWWW Osaka DRAW
Points
1997-02-25 Ricky Sales LLLDLD Central Gym, Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
1996-11-25 Manny Melchor WLWLLL Korakuen Hall LOST
Points
1996-08-13 Randy Mangubat WDWWDL Central Gymnasium, Osaka WIN
Unanimous decision
1996-07-17 Kazumasa Otani WWLLDW Osaka WIN
Points
1996-02-18 Katsuyuki Kawakami W Osaka WIN
Points
1995-12-16 Yuya Matoba W WIN
Points
1995-10-29 Ryohei Morita LWW Nagoya WIN
Points
1995-09-18 Tadaaki Mekaru L Osaka WIN
Points
1995-08-21 Mitsushi Kawagishi debut Osaka WIN
Points
1995-06-17 Susumu Fujita debut Himeji WIN
KO
1995-01-10 Shigeru Morimoto debut Prefectural Gymnasium, Osaka WIN
Points
1994-12-05 Kimiaki Miyata debut WIN
Points
1994-09-19 Masahiro Ishii debut Osaka WIN
KO