Japanese national champion retires
Earlier today Japanese Light Flyweight champion Yuto Takahashi (11-4, 5) [高橋悠斗] took to social media to announce that he was retiring from professional boxing, ending his career and his reign as the Japanese champion.
Last year we had seen the fighter report that he was close to retirement after frustrations of a bout falling through. He's now seen a scheduled title defense against Masamichi Yabuki (10-3, 10) [佐藤政道] fall through twice, the gym he was fighting at close, and a transfer to a new gym which has seemingly not worked out.
The fighter explained that he had spoken to the team at his new gym, the Shirai Gushiken Sports Gym, and that a decision was made to retire. Although he had transferred to the gym it was impossible to go due to work, and with the postponement of the Yabuki fighter it seemingly left him unable to be motivated. Without motivation, and being in the best condition, he seemed to know he couldn't beat Yabuki.
In many ways it's a shame that Takahashi has retired at such a young age, 27, but it seems to be his choice, he seems to have his health and is looking towards the future. We would have loved to see how far he could have gone in the sport, but fully understand he's made his decision and it's very, very clear this wasn't an easy decision for him to make.
Last year we had seen the fighter report that he was close to retirement after frustrations of a bout falling through. He's now seen a scheduled title defense against Masamichi Yabuki (10-3, 10) [佐藤政道] fall through twice, the gym he was fighting at close, and a transfer to a new gym which has seemingly not worked out.
The fighter explained that he had spoken to the team at his new gym, the Shirai Gushiken Sports Gym, and that a decision was made to retire. Although he had transferred to the gym it was impossible to go due to work, and with the postponement of the Yabuki fighter it seemingly left him unable to be motivated. Without motivation, and being in the best condition, he seemed to know he couldn't beat Yabuki.
In many ways it's a shame that Takahashi has retired at such a young age, 27, but it seems to be his choice, he seems to have his health and is looking towards the future. We would have loved to see how far he could have gone in the sport, but fully understand he's made his decision and it's very, very clear this wasn't an easy decision for him to make.