Former world title challenger Yoshihiro Kamegai has officially announced his retirement from the sport of boxing.
The 35-year-old Japanese fighter made his retirement on Instagram, admitting that his body is not able to throw as many hard punches as he did in his prime. Kamegai cited his last two fights, against Greg Vendetti and Miguel Cotto, as examples of his body not being as strong and steady as it was in his prime.
Kamegai made his pro debut in 2005, winning his first 21 fights as well as the Japanese junior welterweight title in that span. Kamegai would also go on to win the OPBF welterweight title during his career.
Although Kamegai never got to win a world title during his career, he has been able to fight a number of world champions as well as produced entertaining fights. Kamegai has fought the likes of Jesus Soto Karass and Robert Guerrero. Kamegai got a chance to fight for the WBO junior middleweight title in 2017, but lost a unanimous decision to Cotto on an HBO card in California.