Back in November Japanese fight fans got, arguably, the fight of the year as Shu Utsuki (15-1, 13) [宇津木秀] unified the OPBF title with the WBO Asia Pacific Lightweight titles, defeating Katsuya Yasuda (14-2, 9) [保田克也] in a bout that really summed up everything we love about the sport. It was exciting, it was evenly matched, it was action packed, dramatic and seemed like only a single shot could have resulted in a different outcome. It saw both men hitting the canvas, multiple times, and saw both looking on the verge of being stopped before turning the tide.
Today Yasuda took to social media to announce that, following that loss, he was retiring.
Yasuda had been a solid amateur, going 64-12 (30) in the unpaid ranks before turning professional in 2017, and making his debut in August that year. He went on to win the WBO Asia Pacific Lightweight title in June 2023 and had recorded 3 defenses of the title, before his bout with Utsuki.
Yasuda went on to explain "I became a professional seven years ago and have been practicing hard. I was not able to achieve my goal, but thanks to everyone's support, I have had the best boxing career ever. I will continue to live my life to the fullest, so I would be happy if you continue to support me in the same way. Thank you so much for all your support."
Aged 31 Yasuda appears to have bowed out before taking too much punishment, with much of what he has taken coming in the bout against Utsuki. As well as losing to Utsuki he also lost to Shuma Nakazato, back in 2022, before going on to beat Krai Setthaphon, Apicht Petchmanee, Ruito Saeki and Presco Carcosia.
We want to wish Yasuda all the best in his post boxing career, and know the bout with Utsuki will long live in the memory of fans who got a genuine treat with their 6 round war.
