January 24th

1993-Pichit Sithbanprachan vs Dan Nietes
In November 1992 Thailand's Pichit Sithbanprachan defeated Rodolfo Blanco for the IBF Flyweight title. His first bout after winning that title was surprisingly not a title defense. Instead it was a 10 round bout against the then 21-3 Dan Nietes, the uncle of Donnie Nietes. Nietes would surprisingly drop the Thai, though go on to lose the bout via a decision.
 
Following this win Sithbanprachan would defend the IBF title 5 times before retiring in 1994. He would make a few short comebacks before retiring for good in 2000, with a record of 24-0 (18). Nietes on the other hand would fight through to 1995, and never fight a bout at this level, retiring with a record of 27-10-1 (17)
 
1981-Chul Ho Kim defeats Rafael Orono to become the WBC king!
On this day in 1981 Korean fight Chul Ho Kim made his international debut, travelling to Venezuela. The little known Korean shocked the previously unbeaten Rafael Orono to take the WBC Super Flyweight title, beginning his very busy yet short reign.
 
Chul defeated Orono with a 9th round KO and would defend the title 5 times, with notable wins against Jiro Watanabe, Willie Jenson and Koki Ishii. His title win, and his 5 defenses, would all come in the space of 18 months, showing his incredible level of activity. Sadly however Chul's reign would end in a rematch to Orono in 1982, and the Korean would fight just once more afterwards, losing to Prayurasak Muangsurin in 1983, before retiring.
 
Shul would have a record of 19-3-2 (9) when he walked away from the sport, and go 5-1-1 in world title fights. Orono would reign until 1983, when he lost the belt to Payao Poontarat in 1983. He would continue on until 1988, tough end his career with 5 straight losses to leave his record 32-7-2 (!6).
 
1973-Masao Oba passes away
Sadly it was on this day in 1973 that the world would lose Japan's Masao Oba, following an automobile accident.
 
"The Eternal Champion" was just 23 and the reigning WBA Flyweight champion. He had won the title in 1970, stopping Berkrerk Chartvanchai, and had made 5 defenses of the title, beating the likes of Betulio Gonzalez, Susumu Hanagata and Chartchai Chionoi, beating Chartchai just over 3 weeks prior to his death.
 
He had planned to vacate the title to move up to Banatamweight, due to struggles making Flyweight, but passed away before he had the chance to do that. The Japanese champion had shown the skills to become one of the countries biggest boxing stars, but his untimely death left him as a true "what if?" and it felt like we only really got a glimpse as to how good he was. Despite his untimely death he did go 35-2-1 (16) during his career, and 6-0 (3) in world title fights.