Interesting to see that Japan is having that much success in Boxing.
It's not that surprising, in terms of all time historical belt holders Japan is a top 5 nation. These numbers were as of earlier this year:
1. USA (455)
2. Mexico (153)
3. UK (101)
4. Japan (85)
5. Puerto Rico (48)
6. Thailand (46)
6. South Korea (46)
8. Argentina (43)
9. Philippines (40)
10. Colombia (36)
Martial arts and combat sports are part of the culture in Japan. Boxing, Judo, Karate, Sumo, Jujutsu, kickboxing, MMA, even professional wrestling are all quite popular there compared to most other countries.
I don't really care where a fighter is from, but to me there's a difference between a champion and a belt holder. There is only one champion per division.
The actual champions
Heavyweight - Usyk (Ukraine)
Cruiserweight - Opetaia (Australia)
Light Heavyweight - Beterbiev (Canada/Russia)
Super Middleweight - Canelo (Mexico)
Middleweight - vacant since Canelo moved up
Super Welterweight - Charlo (USA) (soon to be vacant if he doesn't defend it)
Welterweight - Crawford (USA) (soon to be vacant)
Super Lightweight - Lopez (USA)
Lightweight - vacant since Haney moved up
Super Featherweight - vacant since Stevenson moved up
Featherweight - vacant since Pacquiao moved up in 2005
Super Bantamweight - Inoue (Japan)
Bantamweight - vacant since Inoue moved up
Super Flyweight - Estrada (Mexico)
Flyweight - vacant since Chocolatito moved up in 2016
Light flyweight - Teraji (Japan)
Strawweight - vacant since Ricardo Lopez moved up in 1999
So the US technically leads with 3 champions, but soon Crawford will abdicate his welterweight crown and Charlo hasn't defended his super welterweight crown in a long time. Needs to announce a fight by the end of the year or abdicate.
Japan and Mexico are strong with 2 champions each, but soon Estrada will defend against the American Rodriguez.
Australia and Ukraine with 1 champion each, Canada and Russia sharing credit for Beterbiev.
average weight of an american is 250 lbs.
you can't find a female in those midget weight classes in america.
but the big Chinamane just KOed the greatest american heavyweight of the last decade.
Out of Americans averaging above 6 feet tall or obesity rates in the states?
average weight of an american is 250 lbs.
you can't find a female in those midget weight classes in america.
but the big Chinamane just KOed the greatest american heavyweight of the last decade.
Think it's pretty neat that professional boxing has been becoming pretty big Japan. More so when you consider how influential the country is and how it will probably affect other countries around it. (Korea, China, Vietnam and etc.)
Wonder how Bantamweight will do though, all the champions are Japanese and the one whose most dangerous is Junto Nakatani who could unify all the belts if he doesn't struggle to cutting down to 118. Could the other three retain the belts for long?