SUMMARY
- 23-year-old Japanese boxer Kazuki Anaguchi died on February 2, 2024.
- He last fought Seiya Tsutsumi on December 26, 2023.
Japanese boxer Kazuki Anaguchi has passed away due to injuries inflicted during a boxing bout in December 2023. Anaguchi passed away at 23 on February 2, 2024. The bantamweight prospect was 6-0 before facing his first defeat against Seiya Tsutsumi last December.
Anaguchi suffered several blows during his bout against Tsutsumi on the undercard of Naoya Inoue’s title defense against Marlon Tapales. The event took place at the Ariake Arena, Tokyo, Japan, on December 26, 2023.
The Japanese youngster was knocked down as many as four times during his fight. He suffered bloody blows and a horrific cut. However, the match went the distance and he somehow lasted 10 rounds.
Japanese boxer Kazuki Anaguchi has died in hospital aged 23 after suffering a brain injury in his defeat to Seiya Tsutsumi on the Naoya Inoue vs Marlon Tapales undercard on Dec 26th.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) February 2, 2024
The southpaw was reportedly suffering seizures in his corner after the fight. He was taken to the hospital immediately but he lost consciousness. Anaguchi underwent immediate surgery to repair a subdural hematoma. According to the Cleveland Clinic, “A subdural hematoma is a type of bleeding near your brain that can happen after a head injury.”
Anaguchi did not wake up after his surgery. Updates that were received throughout January were always lined with doubt about the future. Shingen Boxing Gym’s statement on Anaguchi’s condition suggested that he was receiving the best treatment. However, the bantamweight boxer succumbed to his injuries.
Boxing world reacts to the untimely death of Japanese boxer Kazuki Anaguchi
The Japanese Boxing Commission announced the death of Kazuki Anaguchi on February 2, 2024. Several members of the boxing world chipped in to pay their tributes to the young boxer. Many fans were also angered by how he was allowed to suffer such deathly blows.
This has truly brought tears to my eyes, I watched this fight with my father. We both saw him at the end and were worried, researched to get updates every week. He was so young and had a bright future in the sport. Very sad day, may he rest in peace 🙏 🙏
— YaKidMe (@YaKidMe1) February 2, 2024
One fan wrote, “This has truly brought tears to my eyes, I watched this fight with my father. We both saw him at the end and were worried, researched to get updates every week. He was so young and had a bright future in the sport. Very sad day, may he rest in peace.”
UFC lightweight fighter Charles Oliveira also commented, “Heartbreaking RIP.”
Another fan wrote, “That’s horrible news, watched the fight live & he took too much punishment.”
Meanwhile, one fan criticized the authorities and wrote, “I know this is in hindsight but it was so obvious in the corner there was a big issue going on with him the way he couldn’t stand. Zero medical attention and had to walk back to the dressing room. The Japanese referees and doctors have to do better.”
I know this is in hindsight but it was so obvious in the corner there was a big issue going on with him the way he couldn’t stand. Zero medical attention and had to walk back to the dressing room. The Japanese referees and doctors have to do better.
— Dominic Bennett (@EbonyFPrince) February 2, 2024
According to The Sun, Anaguchi racked up an amateur record of 68 wins and six losses. He turned pro in July 2021 and defeated Atsushi Takada via TKO. He held a 6-0 record (2 KOs) before facing Tsutsumi.