Akinobu Hiranaka
Akinobu Hiranaka (平仲 明信, born Nobuaki Hiranaka, on November 14, 1963 in Okinawa, Japan) is a former boxer in the Light welterweight (Super lightweight or former Junior welterweight) division. He won the WBA Light welterweight title in 1992 and competed at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
He is one of the few Japanese champions that lacked financial backing from large gyms or television companies, and he had to personally negotiate with opponents to land a shot at the world title.
Amateur career
Hiranaka won an amateur boxing tournament in high school, training at the local Ryukyu boxing gym. He continued boxing at Nippon University, and fought in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics while attending (he lost in the second round). He had a successful amateur career, making 37 of his 43 wins by knockout.
Olympic results
Professional career
Hiranaka's success in the amateur ring made him one of Japan's best prospects in the light welterweight division. He won the Japanese light welterweight title in only his fourth professional fight, knocking out his opponent in the 6th round. Hiranaka became the WBA's top-ranked fighter in the light welterweight division, but lack of financial support made it difficult for him to challenge the world title. He had to defend the Japanese light welterweight title 9 times before finally getting a fight at the world stage.
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