Teiken Promotions celebrate landmark 100th anniversary

Teiken turns 100

Teiken Promotions, a historic and cornerstone institution in professional boxing both in Japan and across the global sports landscape, is proudly celebrating its landmark 100th anniversary.

Established in 1926, the legendary gym and promotional powerhouse is marking a century of excellence with a highly impressive, world-class fight card on July 20th. The historic event will be headlined by WBC Light Flyweight Champion Shokichi Iwata as he defends his world title against his dangerous mandatory challenger from Mexico, Erik Badillo.

Teiken’s journey to a century of prominence is a story of profound resilience. Following the devastation of World War II, the gym experienced a vital historic revival under the leadership of its founding manager, Mr. Akira Honda, who played a pivotal role in rebuilding Japan’s broader boxing infrastructure. When Akira Honda tragically passed away at a young age, the gym came dangerously close to disappearing entirely.

However, destiny thrust his son, Mr. Akihiko Honda, into the forefront of the operation. Supported by the extraordinary Miss Nagano, Teiken not only survived but gained immense strength, culminating in the historic moment when Masao Ohba captured the world title, bringing lasting fame and business stability to the gym.

Miss Nagano dedicated her entire life to boxing, working closely for decades alongside Mr. Akihiko Honda in the administration and daily operations of Teiken Promotions. We will always remember her as the most beloved and affectionate pillar of the gym, who sacrificed her life for the sport, leaving behind an eternal memory.

Today, Akihiko Honda stands not just as an iconic promoter, but as one of the most influential figures in the history of sports. Widely considered the greatest promoter in the history of Asia, Mr. Honda is ranked alongside historic global giants like Don King and Bob Arum. For over 50 years, he has maintained a permanent spot in boxing’s top ten pound-for-pound contributors.

Remarkably quiet and deeply respectful, Mr. Honda deliberately avoids the spotlight, directing all attention and glory away from himself and onto his fighters. Consequently, nobody in the notoriously complex and cutthroat boxing industry has ever spoken negatively of him. He remains universally respected and beloved.

As a master coordinator, Mr. Honda has served as the definitive international bridge between domestic Japanese promoters and the global stage, securing countless overseas championship opportunities for Japanese warriors across Hawaii, Las Vegas, and Mexico.

His visionary media leadership secured boxing’s permanent footprint on television, ensuring that the vast majority of world title fights are broadcast live or recorded throughout Japan. His promotional reach is the stuff of boxing lore; notably, in the late 1980s, Mr. Honda promoted Mike Tyson’s historic, dual appearances at the massive Tokyo Dome.

Operating at an unprecedented level of global activity, Mr. Honda’s close executive team, Akemi, Nobu, and Nick, alongside the gym’s dedicated world-class trainers and fighters, deserve widespread recognition. This marvelous team brilliantly complements Teiken’s global operations, displaying a rare virtue that makes every visiting fighter, official, and guest feel uniquely special, ensuring they always return home with the memories of a lifetime.

As Teiken Promotions enters its second century, it continues to honour its rich past while aggressively shaping the future of boxing on the world stage.

During its brilliant history, Teiken has promoted an elite array of world-class talent and legendary champions, including Masao Ohba, Tsuyoshi Hamada, Jorge Linares, Toshiaki Nishioka, Román “Chocolatito” González, Takahiro Ao, Akifumi Shimoda, Shinsuke Yamanaka, Toshiyuki Igarashi, Takashi Miura, Carlos Cuadras, Yu Kimura, Ryota Murata, Kenichi Ogawa, Jesse “Bam” Rodríguez, Anthony Olascuaga, Shokichi Iwata, Kyosuke Takami, Ryusei Matsumoto, Tenshin Nasukawa, and Tomoya Tsuboi.

Get to know Shokichi Iwata