Eddie Perkins vs Yoshinori Takahashi

On January 4, 1964, at Tokyo's Ryogoku Sumo Hall, Eddie Perkins defended his WBC and WBA World Super-lightweight titles against Yoshinori Takahashi. Perkins, weighing 138¾ pounds, entered the bout with a record of 33 wins, 9 losses, and 1 draw, while Takahashi, at 139¼ pounds, carried a record of 23 wins and 2 losses. From the opening bell, Perkins asserted control, staggering Takahashi in the very first round. The Japanese challenger narrowly avoided knockdowns in the 1st, 6th, and 9th rounds, each time saved by the bell from what appeared to be inevitable stoppages.

By the 13th round, Perkins' dominance had taken a visible toll on Takahashi. Early in the round, Perkins landed a clean right hand to Takahashi's jaw, sending him to the canvas for an eight-count. Takahashi rose on unsteady legs, only to meet a thunderous left hook and a mighty right hand to the head. The force of the attack sent him partially through the ropes. He managed to stand briefly but collapsed again, prompting referee Nick Pope to wave the fight off at 1:35 of the round. Takahashi lay motionless on the canvas and had to be carried from the ring on a stretcher. Reports later confirmed he remained unconscious for nearly 30 minutes before regaining consciousness at Mitsui Kosei Nenkin Hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with a concussion. He was kept under observation and discharged the following day.

Referee Nick Pope and judges Haruo Ishiwatarido and Ko Toyama had unanimously agreed on scoring up to the stoppage, with Perkins holding commanding leads of 60-52, 59-52, and 58-52, respectively. Despite Takahashi's courage and moments of spirited resistance in the middle rounds, he was simply outmatched by the reigning champion's skill and experience. Speaking after the fight, Perkins expressed genuine concern for his opponent's well-being, admitting that he had never experienced such a situation in his career.

This bout was Perkins' first title defence since reclaiming the championship from Roberto Cruz on June 15, 1963. Known for his technical brilliance and tactical adaptability, Perkins had already cemented his reputation with a memorable trilogy against Italian champion Duilio Loi. For Takahashi, the fight represented a brave but ultimately insurmountable challenge against one of the finest boxers of the era.