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Revision as of 03:23, 3 May 2007 by Watermint (talk | contribs) (→External links)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)| Masamori Tokuyama | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chang Soo Hong September 17, 1974 Tokyo, Japan |
| Nationality |  North Korean(Living in  Japan) |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Super flyweight |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 36 |
| Wins | 32 |
| Wins by KO | 8 |
| Losses | 3 |
| Draws | 1 |
| No contests | 0 |
Masamori Tokuyama (徳山昌守 born Chang Soo Hong on September 17, 1974 in Tokyo, Japan) is a retired boxer in the super flyweight (115 lb) division. His record is 32-3-1 (9 KOs). He is a former WBC world super flyweight champion.
Because of his affiliation to North Korea and his experience traveling to it, he has been banned from entering South Korea and the United States.
Biography
Tokuyama was born in Tokyo, Japan as a third generation Zainichi Korean. 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 Super Flyweight title eight times before suffering a stunning 1st 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 a 3-0 decision. He defended his title on February 27, 2006, beating Jose Navarro by unanimous decision. He relinquished his title after this fight and declared his retirement 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.
Tokuyama and North Korea
Zainichi Koreans before Tokuyama 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 North Korean dictator Kim Jong-il, thanking the dictator for his success as a boxer. 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."
He has often used the North Korean national anthem as his entrance theme.
See also
External links
| Preceded byIn Joo Cho | Super flyweight boxing champion (WBC) August 27, 2000–June 28, 2004 |
Succeeded byKatsushige Kawashima |
| Preceded byKatsushige Kawashima | Super flyweight boxing champion (WBC) July 18, 2005–September 18, 2006 |
VacantTitle next held byCristian Mijares |
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