The Yokohama Cultural Gymnasium in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo, ended its 58-year history on Sept. 6 as part of East Japan Railways Co.’s efforts to restructure the nearby Kannai Station area.

After opened in 1962, the gymnasium, whose seating capacity was about 5,000 persons, served as a venue for various sports, including boxing. Many topnotch Japanese boxers fought there.

Current Japan Pro Boxing Association President Susumu Hanagata captured the World Boxing Association flyweight title in October 1974 there from Chartchai Chionoi of Thailand, while Hiroshi Kawashima won the World Boxing Council super flyweight title from Jose Luis Bueno of Mexico at the gymnasium in May 1994.

Undefeated Naoya ‘’Monster’’ Inoue successfully defended his World Boxing Organization super flyweight crown for the seventh time there by stopping Yoan Boyeaux of France in December 2017.

‘’All-action fighter’’ Akira Yaegashi, who was a world champion in three different weight divisions and just recently announced his retirement from the ring, made his professional debut at the gymnasium.

The gymnasium will be transformed into Yokohama United Arena with its completion slated for 2024 with Yokohama Budokan martial art hall standing nearby.