Former professional boxer and current popular actor Hidekazu Akai has assumed the post of the Japan Boxing Federation’s committee for the popularization of men’s boxing ahead of next year’s Tokyo Olympics, the JABF said on Sept. 22.

The 61-year-old Akai, nicknamed ‘’Rocky of Naniwa (Osaka)’’ was one of the candidates for the 1980 Moscow Olympics, which Japan boycotted for political reasons, is currently serving as an honorary manager of Kinki University’s boxing club. He won the interscholastic athletic meet when he was a Naniwa Gakuin high school student in Osaka.

He turned pro after graduating from the university, attained 12-straight knockout wins and unsuccessfully challenged the then World Boxing Council junior welterweight (super lightweight) champion Bruce Curry of the United States in 1983.

After hanging up his gloves in 1985, he became an actor and has been appearing in various movies and TV dramas.

Earlier this month, popular comedian Shizuyo Yamasaki, popularly known as ‘’Shizu-chan,’’ was also named a member of the JABF’s committee for the enhancement and popularization of female boxers.