Former Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation lightweight champion as well as the Japanese champion in the same weight division Iwao Otomo was found dead in Sendai, northeastern Japan, on Nov. 20, it was learned on Dec. 5. He was 59.

The cause of death was aortic dissection, his friend quoted Sendai hospital sources as saying. Otomo had been hospitalized for some time although no details are available at this point in time.

After making his debut from Okawa’s Boxing Gym, Otomo won the Japanese title in January 1987 by stopping Koji ‘’Cheyenne’’ Yamamoto of Kokusai Boxing Gym in January 1987 in an exciting battle.

After defending the title for nine times, Otomo won the OPBF crown in June 1989 and retained the title for five times. He lost the title as he was decisioned by Orzubek Nazarov of Kyoei Boxing Gym in May 1992. It was Otomo’s last fight.

Otomo’s lifetime record was 22 wins, including 19 KOs, against five losses and five draws. He had never been knocked out.

After the retirement, Otomo had been engaged in an electricity-related work both in Tokyo and after returning to Sendai late last year, according to the friend.