From 1964 to 2007, boxer-turned-chef Chojuro Yamamoto ran a small restaurant in Asagaya, Tokyo. Open from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., Champion attracted all kinds of characters, but few could compare to “Cho-san” himself.

In January 2018, he began sharing tales from Those Days, Those Times on a Japanese-language blog. Then he added memories of Those Guys. Finally, in Other Days, Other Times, he reminisced about his life away from Champion, before deciding in August 2021 that it was time to lay down his pen.

These translations of the original posts, rich in anecdotes about boxing and illustrating a concern for human rights, are by a long-time customer and friend, with the permission of the author.

Learn how Champion got started here. Read what happens when a boxer and a sumo wrestler face off in a car park. View the final post.

“Food & Drink House CHAMPION”