Earlier today the "Tokuyama Boxing Gym" was opened in Higashiosaka City, in Osaka prefecture. The gym, which is owned by former WBC Super Flyweight champion Masamori Tokuyama, has been opened with the intention of training future world champions, with Tokuyama explaining "I would like to train a real champion like Naoya Inoue, Kazuto Ioka, and Junto Nakatani one day."
Explaining the reason for opening the gym, Tokuyama explained "I had been thinking about opening a gym in the future, but I thought it would be a waste to start up right after retiring and only know boxing, so I tried various things for a while." and he then added "I've come back to give back to the boxing world. Boxing is hot these days, so I want to ride that wave."
Tokuyama made a decision to open a gym last April, and took around 18 months seeking the ideal location, which is close to the Kawachi Station and has both great transport links and plenty of space, with that space allowing for a ring, seven punching bags, and four exercise bikes.
Tokuyama isn’t in a rush, stating "I want to take it slowly until the gym gets on track," but also doesn’t want to waste time explaining. "I want to produce professional athletes within the next year." Given it’s a new gym things are pretty limited, and whilst the gym is welcoming to "Fitness, professionals, and kids boxers", there is only Tokuyama and Koji Matsuda running the gym, a very small team, that will likely grow over time.
Regarding his focus for the students, Tokuyama explained "In the past, I was determined to win that belt even if it meant dying, but now I'm in a position to teach. My job is to 'send my fighters back to the person waiting for them with all their limbs intact.'" and added "I will teach boxing that involves hitting without getting hit. I want to polish things from the rough side. I will do it slowly, over time."
