Hideyuki Ohashi, head of Ohashi Boxing Gym, and undisputed world super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue of the gym respectively commemorated on Feb. 3 the demise on the preceding day of Kazuki Anaguchi of Shinsei Boxing Gym following Anaguchi’s decision loss in the Japanese bantamweight title fight on last Dec. 26.

  The 23-year-old Anaguchi died at a Tokyo hospital after he had been in a coma due to subdural hematoma on the right side in the fight held as the chief supporting card for Inoue’s title-winning world super bantamweight unification fight at Tokyo’s Ariake Arena. The event was promoted by Ohashi Promotions.

  Ohashi issued a statement, ‘’I deeply regret the demise of Mr. Kazuki Anaguchi. I would like to express my deepest sympathies over his loss.’’

  Inoue attended a special talk show held by NTT Docomo Inc. in connection with its over-the-top streaming service Lemino and said, ‘’I would like to use this opportunity and pray that he rests in peace.’’

Anaguchi suffered four knockdowns in the 10-round title fight with champion Seiya Tsutsumi of Kadoebi Boxing Gym in a grueling battle dubbed ‘’Bantamweight Monster Tournament Finals,’’ in which Anaguchi fought neck and neck despite the knockdowns.

The fight was selected as the Domestic Best Bout Award for 2023 by writers of eastern and western Japanese televisions, newspapers and specialized magazines entrusted by Japan Boxing Commission.