Age, Biography and Wiki

Jiro Watanabe was born on 16 March, 1955 in Okayama, Japan, is a Japanese boxer. Discover Jiro Watanabe's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 68 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 68 years old
Zodiac Sign Pisces
Born 16 March, 1955
Birthday 16 March
Birthplace Okayama, Japan
Nationality Japan

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 16 March. He is a member of famous Boxer with the age 68 years old group.

Jiro Watanabe Height, Weight & Measurements

At 68 years old, Jiro Watanabe height is 5 ft 5+1/2 in and Weight Super flyweight.

Physical Status
Height 5 ft 5+1/2 in
Weight Super flyweight
Body Measurements Not Available
Eye Color Not Available
Hair Color Not Available

Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

Family
Parents Not Available
Wife Not Available
Sibling Not Available
Children Not Available

Jiro Watanabe Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Jiro Watanabe worth at the age of 68 years old? Jiro Watanabe’s income source is mostly from being a successful Boxer. He is from Japan. We have estimated Jiro Watanabe's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income Boxer

Jiro Watanabe Social Network

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Timeline

Jiro Watanabe (渡辺二郎) is a Japanese former boxer.

Watanabe, who fought only in Japan and South Korea, was one of the first World super flyweight champions, as the division was relatively new when he was crowned.

With a background in Shotokan Karate, he started his professional boxing career with a three-round knockout over Keiza Miyazaki.

The fight was in Okayama, Watanabe's birthplace.

Two first-round knockout wins followed, one over Yukihiro Kawahira, and another over Noburu Iishi.

There was an immediate rematch with Iishi, and, although the second time around Iishi gave him a tougher test, nevertheless, Watanabe still came out a winner, by a knockout in six.

Three more knockouts followed, two in the first round, including one over Koji Kobayashi, future WBC world Flyweight champion and brother of former world champion Royal Kobayashi.

Then, Watanabe was taken the distance for the first time, against Jin-Hyun Chun in Nagoya, Watanabe winning a six-round decision.

After two more decision wins, Watanabe flew to South Korea, where he challenged the WBC world Jr. Bantamweight champion Chul-Ho Kim, losing in his first world title bid by a 15-round decision.

1981

Watanabe then returned to Japan and won his remaining four bouts for 1981 there, three by knockout.

One of the fighters he beat was Tito Abella, who by then had been ranked as the number one Jr. Bantamweight challenger in the world.

Abella was knocked out in four rounds.

1982

In April 1982, the WBA Jr. Bantamweight champion of the world, Rafael Pedroza of Panama, the cousin of Eusebio Pedroza, travelled to Osaka to defend his belt against Watanabe on 8 April.

Watanabe won a unanimous 15-round decision and became world champion.

Watanabe's remaining fights of 1982 were title defenses against former world champions, Gustavo Ballas of Argentina, knocked out in nine rounds, and Shoji Oguma (former two time world Flyweight champion), beaten by a knockout in 12.

1983

1983 was another busy year for the champion: He beat Luis Ibañez by a knockout in eight, Roberto Ramirez of Mexico by a decision in 15, and Soon-Chun Kwon by a technical decision in 11.

Watanabe had built a considerable points lead over Kwon, but in round ten, their heads collided, causing a gap in Watanabe's head.

He bled profusely, and the fight doctor ordered the fight to be stopped in round eleven, but since it was ruled that the cut was the product of a headbutt, the fight then went to the scorecards, and Watanabe was declared the winner.

1984

In 1984, Watanabe disposed of another Venezuelan challenger, Celso Chavez, by knocking him out in 15 rounds.

Then, he and WBC world champion Payao Poontarat met in an attempt to unify the world's Jr. Bantamweight title, and Watanabe finally earned the WBC's belt, winning by a 12-round decision.

Although Watanabe didn't become undisputed as he was stripped of the WBA title for refusing to defend his title against his number 1 contender, Khaosai Galaxy.

Watanabe also became the first lineal champion in the division.

There was an immediate rematch, and Watanabe again imposed his will, with an 11-round knockout over the former world champ.

1985

In 1985, he retained the title with a 12-round decision over Julio Soto Solano.

1986

Wins over Katsuo Katsuma (KO 7) and Suk-Hwan Yun (KO 5) followed, but in 1986, he defended against the late Gilberto Roman in what would turn out to be his last fight.

He lost to Roman by a 12-round decision and announced his retirement from professional boxing.

Unlike so many others, he was able to stay away from the temptation of coming back and trying to regain his old popularity.

Watanabe's successor for the WBA title would be Galaxy.

Galaxy would win the vacant title against Eusebio Espinal and also go on to become a Jr. Bantamweight and reel off 19 straight title defenses before retiring.

1995

In August 1995, he was arrested for blackmail.

He ran an import business in Osaka, and threatened the debtors by saying that he would beat them to death.

Police suspended judgment on the matter, so he was released.

1999

In 1999, Watanabe was spotted at a Seoul activity honoring Asia's greatest boxing champions, alongside Fighting Harada, Jung-Koo Chang, Yoko Gushiken, Sot Chitalada, and former rivals Chul-Ho Kim and Poontarat, among others.

In October 1999, he was arrested for giving a gun to a friend who was prosecuted for murder.

2000

In July 2000, he was sentenced to 4 years and 6 months imprisonment.

2007

After being released in 2004, he was arrested for blackmail along with Kenji Haga, ex-actor, and a yakuza of Yamaguchigumi, on 30 June 2007.

He has denied the suspicion, but Japan Boxing Commission banished him on 27 July 2007.