Kanamu Sakama passes, aged 20

Earlier today the really sad news broke that unbeaten 20 year old hopeful Kanamu Sakama (9-0, 8) [坂間叶夢], who had been scheduled to fight tomorrow at Korakuen Hall, has passed away.

The sad news was broken on social media by Sakama’s father.

The post, translated into English, states:
“Kanomu Sakama passed away today.
Thank you for all your support and love.
Even though he wasn't able to run due to the short intervals between matches and due to a fist injury and taking painkillers for his leg, he worked harder than any other boxer until the end, trying to adjust in the pool and participate. I think he couldn't forgive himself for canceling the match.”

It was reported in Japan yesterday that Sakama had been pulled out of his March 18th bout due to health reasons, though no specifics were confirmed, though this was alluded to by his father’s tweet.

Sakama had been regarded as one to watch. He debuted in 2021 and won the Rookie of the Year, before winning the Japanese Youth Light Flyweight title last July, beating Ryu Horikawa in a memorable bout on the under-card of Naoya Inoue's bout with Stephen Fulton, a win that saw him generate some international buzz. 

He also fought on Inoue's under-card in December, when Inoue beat Marlon Tapales to become the undisputed Super Bantamweight champion, when Sakama scored a 5th round TKO win against Filipino fighter John Paul Gabunilas. He was scheduled to defend his Japanese Youth title tomorrow, against Hyuga Oki.

In just 9 fights Sakama had won Rookie of the Year, a Youth title, climbed into world rankings of WBA, IBF and WBC.

We’d like to send our thoughts to Kanamu’s family and friends.