May 10, 2011
TOKYO, JAPAN
Japanese promoter Kazunori Miyakawa, 62, passed away of heat attack early on Saturday. He collapsed at the dormitory of his Yokohama Hikari Gym, and was urgently hospitalized by ambulance not to regain his consciousness. Miyakawa, a successful businessman, started to sponsor the gym managed by ex-Orient feather champ Mitsunori Seki in 1995 and serve as the promoter of his boxers since. As Seki passed away in 2008, Miyakawa became the club owner on his behalf and took the full responsibility of the gym and promotions. He handled WBA 130-pound/135-pound champ Takanori Hatakeyama, WBA minimum ruler Yutaka Niida and former WBA super-bantm kingpin Ryol-li Lee. Our boxing fraternity greatly missed the still young impresario, and a funeral service will take place in Kawasaki city tomorrow (Wednesday).
(5-10-11)