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12/29/2003 Archived Entry: "Shirai passes away"
Shirai passes away
By Joe Koizumi
Japan's first world champion Yoshio Shirai, 80, passed away of pneumonia Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Shirai, a stylish and smart boxer, was cultivated by his manager and US biologist Dr. Alvin R. Cahn staying here under the US occupation over Japan after the World War II. Shirai defeated the then world flyweight champ Dado Marino, Hawaii, to capture the unified 112-pound throne on May 19, 1952. He defended it four times by outscoring Marino (in a rematch), Tany Campo, Terry Allen and Leo Espinosa, but lost it to unbeaten ex-Olympic gold medalist Pascual Perez, Argentina, in 1954.
Shirai attempted to win back the belt only to lose to Perez again in the next year to decide to hang up gloves for good afterward. His overall record was 46-8-4, 18 KOs. Shirai became a popular commentator as well as coached such young boxers as Kenji Yonekura, Katsuo Saito, etc.
He lately established a Shira-Gushiken Gym along with ex-WBA 108-pound champ Yoko Gushiken to become the honorably president of the club year ago.
Shirai was a gentleman inside and outside of the ring to be loved by great many people to have become the pronoun of the professional boxer in Japan. We sincerely mourn our great predecessor's death.
Yoshio Shirai's Boxing Record
http://www.cyberboxingzone.com/boxing/shirai.htm
