Masashi Kudo

Masashi Kudo
Statistics
Real name	Masashi Kudo
Nickname(s)	none
Rated at	Light middleweight
Nationality	Japanese
Born	August 24, 1951 (1951-08-24) (age 60) Akita, Japan
Stance	Orthodox
Boxing record
Total fights	24
Wins	23
Wins by KO	12
Losses	1
Draws	0
No contests	0

Masashi Kudo (工藤 政志, born August 24, 1951 in Akita, Japan) is a former professional boxer. He was the WBA light middleweight champion from 1978-1979.

Biography

Kudo was an amateur wrestler during high school, and only became a professional boxer when he failed to make the Japanese Olympic wrestling team for the 1972 Munich Olympics. He made his professional debut in May, 1973, and won the Japanese middleweight title in his 6th professional fight. He defended the title 8 times before returning it.

In 1978, he moved down to the light middleweight division to challenge Eddie Gazo for the WBA light middleweight title. Kudo won by 15 round split-decision, becoming the second Japanese boxer to capture the light middleweight title since Koichi Wajima.

Kudo defended his title three times from 1978 - 1979 before losing to undefeated challenger Ayub Kalule by unanimous decision for his only professional loss. He announced his retirement after the fight at only 28 years of age. His record was 23-1-0 (12KOs).

Kudo was possibly one of the least technically skilled champions in boxing history. He ended his career without ever throwing a hook or uppercut, relying solely on a jab and straight right. He compensated for his lack of skill by displaying an enormous amount of stamina and strength, and retired without suffering a single knockdown.

See also

• List of WBA world champions
• List of light middleweight boxing champions
• List of The Ring world champions

External links

• Professional boxing record for Masashi Kudo from BoxRec

Preceded by Eddie Gazo

WBA light middleweight champion August 9, 1978 - October 24, 1979

Succeeded by Ayub Kalule

Persondata
Name	Kudo, Masashi
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	August 24, 1951
Place of birth	Akita, Japan
Date of death
Place of death