Eddie Townsend
Encyclopedia
Edward "Eddie" Townsend (October 5, 1914 - February 1, 1988) was an American
professional boxing trainer.
He is revered in Japan
for training several boxing world champions. An award given to boxing trainers was established in his honor, and a boxing gym in Osaka
, bears his name.
. His father worked as a lawyer, and his mother lived in Yamaguchi Prefecture
, before immigrating to the United States
.
He began boxing at age 14, and was undefeated in 12 fights as a professional, before losing his 13th bout the day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
(December 6, 1941). Townsend's American friends quickly deserted him after learning that he was half Japanese, and Townsend decided to end his professional career to become a trainer.
Townsend first traveled to Japan
in 1962 at the invitation of Japanese professional wrestler Rikidōzan
, who wanted Townsend to teach boxing at the Rikigym. However, this did not last for long, as Rikidōzan was fatally stabbed in December, 1963. Coincidentally, the stabbing took place on the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor
.
Shortly after Rikidōzan's death, Townsend was reunited with third-generation Japanese-American boxer, Takeshi Fuji
, who had been friends with Townsend in Honolulu. He became Fuji's trainer, and his name first became known in the Japanese boxing world when Fuji became world champion in 1967. Townsend went on to single-handedly train a total of six world champions, along with numerous other regional title-holders. Both his skill as a trainer, and his amicable personality made him the most respected trainer in Japanese boxing.
Townsend's final trainee was Hiroki Ioka
, who captured the WBC
minimumweight
title on October 18, 1987. By this time, Townsend was suffering from cancer
, and had to look on from a wheelchair as Ioka trained for his first title defense. Townsend was determined to see Ioka make his first defense, and entered the arena with Ioka on a hospital bed. However, his condition seriously worsened before the start of the match and had to be rushed back to the hospital immediately. He died shortly after hearing that Ioka had won by 12th round TKO.
The Eddie Townsend Gym was founded in Osaka
, and a memorial statue was erected in Shirarahama, Wakayama, which was said to be Townsend's favorite place to visit in Japan
.
A play titled EDDIE was written in his honor, and is often performed in Japanese schools.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional boxing trainer.
He is revered in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
for training several boxing world champions. An award given to boxing trainers was established in his honor, and a boxing gym in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, bears his name.
Biography
Townsend was born to an American father and a Japanese mother in Honolulu, HawaiiHawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. His father worked as a lawyer, and his mother lived in Yamaguchi Prefecture
Yamaguchi Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan in the Chūgoku region on Honshū island. The capital is the city of Yamaguchi, in the center of the prefecture. The largest city, however, is Shimonoseki.- History :...
, before immigrating to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
He began boxing at age 14, and was undefeated in 12 fights as a professional, before losing his 13th bout the day before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
(December 6, 1941). Townsend's American friends quickly deserted him after learning that he was half Japanese, and Townsend decided to end his professional career to become a trainer.
Townsend first traveled to Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
in 1962 at the invitation of Japanese professional wrestler Rikidōzan
Rikidozan
, better known as Rikidōzan , was a Korean Japanese professional wrestler, known as the "Father of Puroresu" and one of the most influential men in wrestling history. Initially, he had moved from his native country Korea to Japan to become a sumo wrestler...
, who wanted Townsend to teach boxing at the Rikigym. However, this did not last for long, as Rikidōzan was fatally stabbed in December, 1963. Coincidentally, the stabbing took place on the same day as the attack on Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor
Pearl Harbor, known to Hawaiians as Puuloa, is a lagoon harbor on the island of Oahu, Hawaii, west of Honolulu. Much of the harbor and surrounding lands is a United States Navy deep-water naval base. It is also the headquarters of the U.S. Pacific Fleet...
.
Shortly after Rikidōzan's death, Townsend was reunited with third-generation Japanese-American boxer, Takeshi Fuji
Takeshi Fuji
Takeshi Fuji is a former professional boxer from Hawaii. He is a former world super lightweight champion.- Biography :...
, who had been friends with Townsend in Honolulu. He became Fuji's trainer, and his name first became known in the Japanese boxing world when Fuji became world champion in 1967. Townsend went on to single-handedly train a total of six world champions, along with numerous other regional title-holders. Both his skill as a trainer, and his amicable personality made him the most respected trainer in Japanese boxing.
Townsend's final trainee was Hiroki Ioka
Hiroki Ioka
Hiroki Ioka is a former WBC Minimumweight and WBA Lightweight champion. He was the first ever WBC Minimumweight champion, winning the title immediately after the minimumweight division was created....
, who captured the WBC
World Boxing Council
The World Boxing Council was initially established by 11 countries: the United States, Argentina, United Kingdom, France, Mexico, Philippines, Panama, Chile, Peru, Venezuela and Brazil plus Puerto Rico, met in Mexico City on February 14, 1963, upon invitation of the then President of Mexico, Adolfo...
minimumweight
Minimumweight
Minimumweight is a weight class division in combat sports. The most notable of which is in professional boxing where boxers may weigh no more than . This is a relatively new weight category for professionals, first inaugurated by the major boxing sanctioning bodies between 1987 and 1990...
title on October 18, 1987. By this time, Townsend was suffering from cancer
Cancer
Cancer , known medically as a malignant neoplasm, is a large group of different diseases, all involving unregulated cell growth. In cancer, cells divide and grow uncontrollably, forming malignant tumors, and invade nearby parts of the body. The cancer may also spread to more distant parts of the...
, and had to look on from a wheelchair as Ioka trained for his first title defense. Townsend was determined to see Ioka make his first defense, and entered the arena with Ioka on a hospital bed. However, his condition seriously worsened before the start of the match and had to be rushed back to the hospital immediately. He died shortly after hearing that Ioka had won by 12th round TKO.
Legacy
Townsend remains one of the most famous trainers in Japanese boxing history, and the Eddie Townsend Award was established in his honor in 1990. The award is given each year to the trainer that has contributed the most to Japanese boxing.The Eddie Townsend Gym was founded in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
, and a memorial statue was erected in Shirarahama, Wakayama, which was said to be Townsend's favorite place to visit in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
A play titled EDDIE was written in his honor, and is often performed in Japanese schools.
World champions trained by Eddie Townsend
- Takeshi FujiTakeshi FujiTakeshi Fuji is a former professional boxer from Hawaii. He is a former world super lightweight champion.- Biography :...
- Hiroyuki EbiharaHiroyuki EbiharaHiroyuki Ebihara was a Japanese world-champion flyweight boxer from Fussa, Tokyo. His record includes 62 wins , 5 losses, and 1 draw. He was the first world flyweight champion certified by the World Boxing Council, and he was also certified by the World Boxing Association and The Ring...
- Kuniaki ShibataKuniaki ShibataKuniaki Shibata is a former Japanese professional boxer. He is a former WBC and WBA super featherweight champion.- Biography :...
- Guts IshimatsuGuts Ishimatsuis a former boxing world champion from Kanumashi, Japan. After retiring from boxing, he has gained popularity as an actor and comedian.As a boxer, he was known for his unpredictable style, sometimes marking completely unpredicted victories, and often losing in extravagant fashion as well...
- Tadashi TomoriTadashi Tomoriis a retired Japanese boxer who is a former WBC junior flyweight champion.Tomori won the Japan's inter-high school championship in the 45 kg class in 1977, and compiled an amateur record of 16–4 before turning professional. Hitoshi Misako who is the president of Misako Boxing Gym in Tokyo went to...
- Hiroki IokaHiroki IokaHiroki Ioka is a former WBC Minimumweight and WBA Lightweight champion. He was the first ever WBC Minimumweight champion, winning the title immediately after the minimumweight division was created....