Education
Nihon University.
平仲 明信
Nihon University.
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. 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
Welterweight (– 67 kg), 1984
1st round bye
Lost to Genaro Leon (Mexico) 0-5
Hiranaka"s success in the amateur ring made him one of Japan"s best prospects in the light welterweight division.
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. Hiranaka challenged Juan Martin Coggi of Argentina in Italy on April 29, 1989, for the WBA title.
Hiranaka knocked Coggi down twice in the third round. However, Hiranaka lost by a decision for the first loss of his career.
This match was controversial for the decision with excessive favor to the Italian-Argentine boxer Coggi, while Coggi was knocked down by Hiranaka twice and has been inferior to Hiranaka at performance throughout 12 rounds.
Among many boxing fans, there have been the strong voice that the victory should have been given to Hiranaka, since the match was owned by him. Even after losing, Hiranaka retained his world ranking, and waited for another chance for the world title. However, Hiranaka spent three years without a title match, and did not fight at all in 1990.
This fight remains as the shortest world title match in the light welterweight division.
Despite making an epic entrance onto the world stage, Hiranaka lost his title after only five months to Morris East from the Philippines. Hiranaka had led the fight going into the 11th round, but was knocked in an unexpected blow from the challenger.
This knockout was named the 1992 Ring Magazine Knockout of the Year. Hiranaka was diagnosed with an intracranial hemorrhage after the fight, and was forced into retirement.
His record was 20-2-0 (18KOs).
He also has the highest KO percentage of any Japanese boxer (90%). He now runs the Hiranaka Boxing School Gym in Okinawa, and has taught boxing at Seido Kaikan.
He had to defend the Japanese light welterweight title 9 times before finally getting a fight at the world stage.