He also set an interval record in the local ekiden race at the age of a junior high school student.
Hatanaka made his professional debut with a first-round knockout victory in November 1984, at the age of a high school student.
He won the annual Japanese boxing series, All-Japan Rookie King Tournament in the super flyweight division in March 1986.
[3] In his first world title shot against WBC super flyweight champion Gilberto Román in September 1988, Hatanaka entered the ring of the Nagoya Rainbow Hall with full smile.
[4] Finally, Zaragoza was crowned the new champion via a split decision[9] in front of 9,000 spectators at the Nagoya Rainbow Hall.
[11] Although Hatanaka desired a rematch with Zaragoza, he suffered from ophthalmoplegia caused by this fight, and retired as a boxer after four months.