Former World Boxing Organization Asia-Pacific bantamweight champion Yuki ‘’Strong’’ Kobayashi of Muto Gym said on Jan. 20 he will hang up his gloves after losing the title to former World Boxing Council flyweight champion Daigo Higa of Ambition GYM on last year’s New Year’s Eve.

The 30-year-old Kobayashi captured the title in May 2019 by stopping Ben Mananquil of the Philippines and successfully defended the title in December that year. But he had not had a fight until he faced Higa due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. He had a lifetime record of 16 wins, including nine KOs, against nine losses during his 11-year pro career.

‘’Thanks to Muto Gym (in Osaka), I was able to have many title fights. Through boxing I learned the importance of making efforts and not losing to myself. I will apply what I have learned through boxing to my ‘’second life,’’ Kobayashi said.