Per yahoo.jp. Apparently Tanaka has had terrible problems with his vision. After having surgery he was told he could go blind if he were ever to fight again. Terrible news. He was very good, always in exciting fights and was one of the best fighters in the lower weights. I remember his goal in boxing was to become a five division world champion, so it sucks he couldn't achieve that. Instead, he won titles in four division, which still is pretty awesome. He is the fastest quadruple champion, there is that. Still I hope everything is swell with his eyes and there isn't lasting damage.
Sad to hear it but health comes first. He was one of my favorites. Never in a bad fight. Should've went out on a win but they took it from him against Cafu. If true hope he enjoys his retirement. I will miss him.
Yes I just see it It's not a surprise for me. I just say it some days ago. I didn't see any future for him at 115 lbs he could fight Willibaldo Garcia for the IBF belt he was #9 by IBF. But he was not motivated with the robbery by the judges for his last fight. I didn't see him lose his WBO Belt against Phumelela Cafu. And you can add the fact that he will never have his rematch with Kazuto Ioka because this one will annonces his retirement in some months too. He returned to his hometown Gifu Prefecture after his lose against Phumelela Cafu so for me it was announced with that picture it's the end of Chukyo Monster. I will remember it was the most fast 3 weight divisions champion in Japan exactly the same was Lomachenko and was only the number 3 to be the 4th divisions champions after Kazuto Ioka & Naoya Inoue. Kosei Tanaka will be forever one of my favorites boxers.
With 6 successful defenses in 4 weight classes he exactly have the same defenses of his world belts (6) than Sugar Ray Leonard, Hiroto Kyoguchi, Errol Spence Jr, Rocky Marciano. And Kosei Tanaka have more successful defenses in world championship than Muangchai Kittikasem, Amir Khan or Miguel Berchelt.
Sad to hear him retire so soon but he definitely needs to look after his own well being first. Very good career he’s had overall and never in a bad fight. Boxing will surely miss him. Enjoy retirement Champ. This content is protected
