'Larry' Ichinose, boxing manager, dead at 68

Advertiser Staff

Lawrence "Larry" Toshiaki Ichinose, a longtime boxing manager and son of prominent boxing promoter "Sad Sam" Ichinose, died Tuesday. He was 68.

Ichinose gained fame by managing world champions Andy Ganigan and Ben Villaflor during his 17-year career from 1967 to 1984. He also managed headline fighters Leo "The Snake" Calderon, Johnny Santos, Young Kennedy and Ralph Aviles.

Ichinose became a boxing manager at the request of his father, who under Hawai'i boxing rules could not perform both duties.

"Larry would manage fighters that Sam was particularly interested in," said Mike Machado, executive secretary of the Hawai'i State Boxing Commission. "Larry was semiestablished because of his father."

As a manager, Larry Ichinose handled the financial interests of the boxers, who would earn two-thirds of the profits, while he received one-third, Machado said.

Under the guidance of Ichinose and trainers, Villaflor, a young fighter from the Philippines, became a world champion, Machado said. "He did a good job with Ben. A lot of credit has to go to Larry Ichinose."

Bobby Lee, former executive secretary of the Hawai'i State Boxing Commission from 1951 to 1977, said Larry Ichinose was a "protege of his dad."

"I say that only because Sam was such an outstanding and outspoken leader, if you're his son, you can't shine," said Lee, who was recently inducted into the Hawai'i Hall of Fame.

Ichinose is survived by a son, Samson; daughters, Cecilia Ichinose and Laurie Campos; a grandchild; brother, Miles Ichinose; and sister, Amy Okamura.

A service will be held at 6:30 p.m. Sunday at Honpa Hongwanji Hawaii Betsuin, 1727 Pali Highway.

No flowers. Casual attire.