Undisputed world super bantamweight champion Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue of Ohashi Boxing Gym and all the other participants in the award ceremony for 2023 at a Tokyo hotel offered silent prayers for the demise earlier this month of Kazuki Anaguchi of Shinsei Boxing Gym following his loss in the Japanese bantamweight title fight late last year.

  Representing the participating professional and amateur boxers at Tokyo Dome Hotel, Inoue, chosen as MVP for 2023 for the sixth straight time and his seventh overall on Feb. 2, said, ‘’Mr. Anaguchi’s fight on Dec. 26 was selected as the best bout (outside of world title fights). I think that fight will stick in the mind of fans eternally.’’

  The fight between Anaguchi and Seiya Tsutsumi of Kadoebi Boxing Gym was held as the chief supporting card for Inoue’s fight with Marlon Tapales of the Philippines to unify the titles. Anaguchi died on the very day of Feb. 2 after his fight with Tsutsumi was selected as the best bout for 2023.