Guts Ishimatsu, former world professional boxing champion known for his powerful double punch nicknamed the “Phantom Right”, passed away on June 2 in a Tokyo hospital, a victim of pneumonia. He was 76 years old.
Guts Ishimatsu, whose real name is Yuji Suzuki, was born in Tochigi Prefecture. He debuted in professional boxing in 1966 and, in April 1974, in his third world title fight, he defeated the Mexican champion by knockout, winning the WBC world lightweight belt.
Known for the powerful one-two punch called the “phantom right,” he successfully defended the world title on five consecutive occasions before retiring in 1978.
After retirement, he acted in several dramas and films, including the NHK series “Oshin”, and participated in variety shows, winning over audiences of all ages with humorous commentary such as “OK Corral”.
According to the agency, Guts Ishimatsu passed away on June 2 in a Tokyo hospital, a victim of pneumonia. He was 76 years old.
Guts Ishimatsu’s agency highlighted, “Being loved by so many people was his greatest pride, and we are sure he lived a happy life. On behalf of the deceased, we would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported him so warmly. We hope you remember Guts Ishimatsu every time you strike a victory pose. OK Corral!”
Who is Guts Ishimatsu?
Guts Ishimatsu, whose real name is Yuji Suzuki, was born in Tochigi Prefecture.
He debuted as a professional in 1966 and competed in the lightweight division.
His career in boxing had ups and downs, with world title fights in 1970 and 1973, both ending in defeat.
In 1974, on the third attempt, the Mexican champion was the big favorite, but Guts Ishimatsu applied the double blow known as the “phantom right” and won spectacularly by knockout in the eighth round, winning the world title.
After defending his world title five times, he retired from professional boxing in 1978.
He won 31 of the 51 fights he competed in, but also had 14 defeats.
As a fighter who reached the top of the world, he accumulated a high number of defeats, intensely experiencing the extremes of his professional boxing career.
After hanging up his gloves, he became a well-known television audience figure as an actor and personality, marked by humorous comments such as “OK Corral” on variety shows.
He has appeared in numerous NHK dramas, including the series “Oshin”, aired from 1983, and “Mare”, from 2015.
Yoko Gushiken: “I’m very sad.”
After the death of Guts Ishimatsu, Yoko Gushiken, also a former world champion, commented: “Guts-san was a great figure in boxing and in life. Whenever I met him, he was cheerful and kind to me. I will miss him very much. I pray that his soul rests in peace.”
Ken Watanabe said, “Guts’ smile cheered me up.”
Ken Watanabe, an actor who starred opposite Guts Ishimatsu in the 1986 TV series “Hanekoma,” posted on his Twitter account: “Remembering the first day of filming the morning drama Hanekoma, there was a scene where I jumped into Lake Biwa in February. ‘Ken-chan, I’m world champion, so you’ll be fine!’ I was encouraged by Guts’ mysterious smile and jumped. He was a warm person. May he rest in peace”, mourning Guts’ death.
In Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, residents paid tribute at a prefabricated tomb erected in their hometown.
Guts Ishimatsu, a native of Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, had his pre-arranged tomb built in the city about 20 years ago through a contact made while promoting a local stonemasonry company.
The tombstone bears the inscription “The Tomb of the Guts Family” and, next to it, a championship belt and boxing gloves carved in stone, as well as a record of the results of the title fight.
On the 11th, people who heard about Guts’ death went to pay tribute. A man from Utsunomiya stated, “I mistakenly thought he was still in good health, so I was shocked to hear that he had passed away. He was a person who lived an incredible life and I admired him. I am sad because I had hoped to see him in Tochigi someday.”