Japanese junior middleweight brawler Yoshihiro Kamegai, who participated in several memorable battles, has announced his retirement from boxing.
Kamegai (27-5-2, 24 KOs), 35, who fought 10 times in the United States, including his final four bouts, made his announcement Tuesday on social media.
“I’ll be retiring from boxing,” he wrote. “My last 2 bouts, I’ve been losing power in my arms in the early rounds. Unlike before when I could throw more power punches throughout the whole fight, now I can’t. Back when I fought (Robert Guerrero) and (Jesus Soto Karass), those were the fights when my performance was at best but the last 2 was far from it. I didn’t feel like I was in my body.
“But still I was more humbled and appreciative than ever to see the fans all around the world crossing different countries to cheer me on! That was my PRIDE and MOTIVATION! To all the fans that supported me throughout my boxing career my biggest appreciation goes out to all of you! Thank you very much!!”
In 2014, in his first major fight, Kamegai lost a 12-round unanimous decision in an unforgettable welterweight slugfest with former world titlist Guerrero.
In 2016, Kamegai fought to a hellacious draw with Jesus Soto Karass and then stopped him in the eighth round in an immediate rematch later that year.
In August 2017, Kamegai, who was promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, got a shot to fight Miguel Cotto for a vacant junior middleweight world title in an HBO-televised main event. He lost a lopsided decision before dropping a 10-round decision to Greg Vendetti in an ESPN2-televised fight this past August — his final fight.