Kosei Tanaka Retires at 29

29-year-old former four-division champion Kosei Tanaka (20-2, 11 KOs) has announced his retirement from boxing because of health issues.

“I am ending my professional boxing career. Eleven years in the pro game—thank you for your support all this time.The reason is multiple eye injuries. Going into my last title defense on 14 October, my vision in both eyes was already poor. I stepped into the ring having decided beforehand that I would have surgery on both eyes immediately after the bout.

Yet right after the opening bell I lost sight in my right eye, and by the third round even light perception had vanished.

Despite the poor state of my left eye, I finished the fight and later underwent surgery on both eyes. Some vision has come back, but the field of view in my right eye is badly distorted and I can no longer focus with both eyes at once. Over the last four years, starting in 2021, I have had surgery for a cervical disc hernia as well as many eye operations. My sight has weakened so much that I cannot even spar, let alone fight.

With no path back to the ring, I have decided to retire. Through boxing I wanted to become a ‘cool person.’ That wish always drove me forward. In every choice I asked myself: ‘Does this look dignified, does it look cool?’

I don’t know whether I have managed to become that kind of person, that kind of boxer, but I will keep following that inner compass and try to live as well as I can.

Thank you for all your support,” Tanaka wrote.

In his final bout the Japanese star dropped a split decision to Phumelele Cafu of South Africa.