Pug with false leg wows fans

Japanese fighter Naozumi Tsuchiyama was born with a congenital defect in his right leg and when he was three years old, doctors cut off the limb to fit a prosthetic replacement.

Despite the handicap, Tsuchiyama grew up with the dream of someday becoming a boxer. The Japan Boxing Commission, however, dissuaded Tsuchiyama from pursuing his dream and refused to give him a license to fight.

So Tsuchiyama went to the Philippines and found refuge in Cagayan de Oro where he trained and made a living teaching Nihonggo. He kept a home in Tokyo, his hometown, but developed a cult following in his new residence. When he applied for a professional boxing license, the Games and Amusements Board saw no compelling reason to turn him down.

Tsuchiyama, 25, made his pro debut in June last year and scored a four-round unanimous decision over Julian Ceniza in a superlightweight bout in Valencia, Bukidnon. Last February, he halted Harry Cahapon in two rounds in Cagayan de Oro.

Manila fans got their first look at Tsuchiyama in the Rex (Wakee) Salud and Manny Pacquiao (MP) Promotions card at the Mall of Asia parking lot last Wednesday night. WBC president Jose Sulaiman, Mexican contender Oscar Larios, IBF flyweight ruler Nonito Donaire, WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peñalosa, Oriental flyweight titlist Rolly Lunas, Japanese promoter Akihiko Honda, American promoter Gary Shaw, MP Promotions president Rogel Pacquiao, Miss WBC 2006-07 Oksana Semeneshina of Lithuania and former world titleholders Rene Barrientos and Rolando Navarrete watched in awe as Tsuchiyama fought courageously in losing a unanimous six-round decision to brawler William Jorge.

The judges scored it 58-56 twice and 59-55. There were no knockdowns in the contest but Jorge was on the verge of collapsing in a thrilling last round.

Also at ringside was Tsuchiyama’s wife Michiko whom he married only last month.

Tsuchiyama was clearly slowed by his artificial leg, showing little footwork. But he made up for it with a big heart. The Japanese never backed down even as he had difficulty staving off the rampaging Jorge and finished the fight with a badly bloodied nose. The crowd applauded Tsuchiyama lustily at the end of the fight.

Undaunted, Tsuchiyama said he will not give up on his dream to win a world title. With tears in her eyes, Tsuchiyama’s wife proudly hung on to his arm as fans mobbed him to shake his hand, get an autograph and take a photo walking out of the ring.

Tsuchiyama isn’t the first pro fighter with an artificial limb. Illinois cruiserweight Craig Bodzianowski had an 18-0 record when he suffered a road accident in 1984. He was rammed by a car in his motorcycle and his right foot was crushed in the collision. Doctors amputated the foot, three inches above the ankle. After an 18-month layoff, Bodzianowski returned to the ring with a prosthetic foot and went on to compile a 31-4 record, with 24 KOs, until he retired in 1993 at the age of 32. In 1990, he lost a decision to Robert Daniels in a bid for the WBA cruiserweight crown.