The WBC reports that former Japanese welterweight champion Shoji Tsujimoto passed away on December 23rd at the age of 75. . Having scored an excellent amateur record of 92-10, the southpaw turned professional as he entered Yonekura Gym. Tsujimoto entered the world top ten by defeating ex-champ Eddie Perkins on points in 1974, and became the first Japanese boxer to challenge for a world welterweight title. Tsujimoto fought Pipino Cuevas in Cuevas' first defense, but was demolished in six hard-fought rounds in 1976. Having registered twelve defenses of his national belt to his credit, Shoji hung up gloves for good after his forfeiture of the Japanese title to Akio Kameda with a record of 27-4-2. Tsujimoto established a succesful security business after his retirement, and opened Esaka Boxing Gym in 1993, with the help of his older brother Hidemori (who fought Carlos Teo Cruz, Eddie Perkins, etc.). That gym produced Japanese 115-pound champ Koki Moribi. It is said Tsujimoto suffered from mental illness for the last decade of his life. Boxingtalk joins the WBC and Joe Koizumi in sending its sympathies to the friends and family of Shoji Tsujimoto.