March 3rd

On this day...
2016-Wahneng Menayothin (40-0, 15) Vs Go Odaira (12-4-3, 1)
It's hard to believe that as we write this Wanheng Menayothin is the longest reigning active world champion, having held the WBC Minimumweight title for well over 4 years and having amassed 11 defenses. The 4th of those defenses came against Japanese challenger Go Odaira, who was getting his second world title fight following a loss to Katsunari Takayama. The Japanese challenger would show his speed early on but would be stopped in the 5th round as Wanheng moved his record to 41-0. As we write this Wanheng is now 52-0 whilst Odaira appears to have retired, with a record of 13-6-3.
 
2007-Chris John (38-0-1, 20) vs Jose Rojas (24-5-1, 16) II
Wanheng isn't the only Asian world champion to have had a long reign or a long unbeaten record. Another, that came before him, was Indonesian icon Chris John, who would go 48-0-3 before suffering his first loss. The first make on John's record was a technical draw against Jose Rojas in 2004. The two would rematch on this day in 2007, with John being the clear winner. Rojas would be dropped twice en route to a wide decision loss to John. After this Rojas would fight just twice more before retiring whilst John would go 48-1-3 (22) before hanging up the gloves after his first, and only, loss.
 
1996-Joichiro Tatsuyoshi (12-2-1, 10) Vs Daniel Zaragoza (51-7-3, 26) I
In the 1990's there wasn't a fighter in Japan with the popularity of Joichiro Tatsuyoshi, who was the star of Japan due to his style and charisma. In 1996 he attempted to become a 2-weight champion, challenging Mexican veteran Daniel Zaragoza. Sadly for Tatsuyoshi he would suffer an 11th round TKO loss to the Mexican. A rematch the following year saw Zaragoza take a clear decision over Tatsuyoshi who would scoring a career defining win later in 1997 when he stopped Sirimongkol Singwancha.
 
1989-Morris East (0-0) Vs Jessie Miranda (0-0)
Few fighters debut at the age of 15 but that's exactly what Morris East did in 1989, when he scored a 6th round TKO win over Jessie Miranda. East's career would have it's highlight in 1992, when he upset big punching Japanese fighter Akinobu Hiranaka to become the WBA Light Welterweight champion, at the age of 19, becoming the youngest world Filipino with that win. Amazingly East's in ring career would come to an end in 1995  with his last bout being a decision over Robert Azumah.