Nov. 18
TOKYO, JAPAN--A medical committee of the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC)
and the JBA (Japan Boxing Association, which is our union of all the
licensed club owners and managers) along with our ring doctors was held
here today.
The committee unanimously decided to recommend world-rated super
flyweight boxer TAKATO "PUMA" TOGUCHI(right photo) to retire from his future ring
activity because he was diagnosed to have suffered a brain problem. Dr.
Satoshi Tani also pointed out that Toguchi became a quarter-blind at the
right optic due to his brain damage.
Masaki Kanehira, manager/promoter of Toguchi in attendance, accepted the Committee's recommendation and announced that he would make Toguchi hang up gloves for good.
Toguchi, WBA #7 ranked 115-pounder, was once decided to fight compatriot Satoshi Iida in a quest for the WBA super fly title in Nagoya on Dec. 23, but the startling medical diagnosis finally prevented him from fighting for the title as planned. Jesus Kiki Rojas of Venezuela was selected to fight Iida on behalf of Toguchi.
Toguchi, also ranked #17 by the WBC, is one of very popular boxers due to his aggressive and hard-punching style. Toguchi, just 2 days before his 29th birthday on Nov. 20, comes from Okinawa. He turned pro in 1988, and won the All Japan Novice King tournament in Feb., 1989. In the East-Japan final, Toguchi dispatched future WBC super fly champ Hiroshi Kawashima in 6 rounds to his credit in Dec., 1988. He failed to win the WBC fly throne, losing to Yuri Arbachakov on a 9th round TKO in Aug., 1996. He returned on a comeback trail, winning 5 fights in a row.
The Iida vs. Toguchi card was supposed to be a good attraction to our
fight fans, but it came to naught. And, it was Toguchi that was obliged
to say a farewell to his ring career.
(11-18-98)