Eiji Yoshikawa (boxer)
Japanese Boxer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Eiji Yoshikawa, also known by the title of "The Compassionate Pugilist," is a Japanese boxer, coach, author, documentarian and peace educator.[1]
Life
Yoshikawa was born in Japan in Shikoku, growing up in a Buddhist temple with his grandfather who was a monk.[2] He attended university in Tokyo for French literature, and began training in boxing around the same time. In 1984, he set out for New York to learn English at Columbia SPS.[1]
He has taught world champions such as Manny Pacquiao,[3] and will teach anyone willing to learn from him, firmly believing in boxing as a form of self improvement.[2] Yoshikawa continues to teach through the sport of boxing "as a way to teach young people about peace and the importance of following their dreams," giving lectures and lessons for all ages[4] through an estimated 800 speeches in schools across the world.[1]
Charity
Yoshikawa has performed charity work such as aiding in the rescue and recovery efforts of the September 11 attacks,[1] funding the purchase of tricycle taxis, donating fight proceeds to the Philippines, buying Christmas gifts for families who cannot afford them,[5] and teaching seniors how to box in the "Outfight Parkinson" program.[2]
135-pound Yoshikawa has notably fought the Canadian welterweight champion Robert Couzens despite the weight and height difference between them. Couzens described him as a "very determined, kind person".[6]