On this day, Lionel Rose defeats Japanese idol, Masahiko “Fighting” Harada

February 26, 1968

Australian, Lionel Rose, defeated Japanese idol, Masahiko “Fighting” Harada, by unanimous decision in 15 rounds, to become bantamweight world champion. The bout was at the Nihon Budokan in Tokyo. The Referee was, Ko Toyama, and the Judges were Ken Morita ( current Japanese Boxing Federation President) and Hiroyuki Tozaki.