The WBC and its president Mauricio Sulaimán, deeply regret the passing of two pillars of Japanese boxing: promoter and manager Shichiro Kimura, and former regional champion and gym director Hideo Kanazawa. World boxing loses two figures who dedicated their lives to the development of champions and the safety of fighters.

 

Shichiro Kimura (1936-2026):  Passing away on March 7th at the age of 90, Kimura was a distinguished stylist in the flyweight division before becoming a legendary mentor. Following his retirement, he established his own gym where he forged the career of two-time 112-pound world champion Shoji Oguma, along with numerous regional and national titleholders. Beyond his achievements in the ring, Kimura left an indelible legacy in sports health. As Chairman of the Japan Professional Boxing Association (JPBA), he was responsible for introducing mandatory CT scans for all licensed boxers in Japan in 1985—a pioneering measure that has saved lives.

 

Hideo Kanazawa (1947-2026):  Boxing also bids farewell to Hideo Kanazawa, who passed away on March 14th at the age of 78 after a battle with rectal cancer. Kanazawa was a prominent warrior in the upper divisions, holding the Orient 154-pound title, which he successfully defended on eight occasions. As the director of Kanazawa Gym, his vision and discipline led figures such as Masamori Tokuyama, the iconic WBC 115-pound champion and Nobuhiro Ishida to world glory.

 

Boxingtalk joins the WBC and the boxing community of Japan in this time of sorrow and sends its deepest condolences to the families, friends, and students of these two great men who honored our sport. May they rest in peace.