Today in Boxing History: Fighting Harada beats Hiroyuki Ebihara

On this day in 1960, two future flyweight champions met early in their careers, as Masahiko “Fighting� Harada improved his record to 13-0 with a six-round decision over Hiroyuki Ebihara in Tokyo.

Harada had started his career off with a flourish, winning his first 12 fights with relative ease. Ebihara was also undefeated at 9-0 and the bout was the first major test for both fighters. In the end, Harada would get the edge career-wise, winning the decision.

Harada won the WBA Flyweight title in October of 1962 when he knocked Pone Kingpetch out in the 11th round. Kingpetch regained the title from Harada via a majority decision in January of 1963. His first defense was eight months later against Ebihara, who knocked Kingpetch out in the first round.

While both fighters were major forces in boxing throughout the 1960s, their only ring meeting was this Christmas Eve match-up held early in their careers.