Shocking news is being reported by the Kyodo news agency in Japan... former four-division champion Kosei Tanaka has unexpectedly retired due to vision issues in both eyes. The 29-year old held a press conference in which he admitted that he had been fighting with retinal detachment in recent years. He said he underwent surgery on both eyes after losing his WBO 115-pound championship last October to  South Africa's little-known Phumelela Cafu via a split decision. Tanaka won his first WBO championship at minimumweight in 2015 and his second at light flyweight a year later. He earned the WBO flyweight championship in 2018 and finally the WBO super flyweight title in February 2024, making him the fastest in boxing history to four division titles -- in his 21st bout, three fights quickler than it took Oscar De La Hoya to accomplish the feat. Tanaka hangs up his glove with a record of 20-2 and a likely ticket to the International Boxing Hall of Fame.

 

Boxingtalk salutes Kosei Tanaka and wishes him a speedy recovery and a satisfying retirement.