Musashi Mori retires, aged 25
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Over the weekend iit was reported by various Japanese sources that Musashi Mori (15-1-1, 7) [森武蔵], a former OPBF Oriental Pacific Super Featherweight champion and WBO Asia Pacific Featherweight champion, had announced his retirement from the sport, aged just 25!
The talented Mori, who once seemed to be on the track to a world title, has reportedly been suffering from dizziness caused by an unknown abnormality in his thyroid hormones, leading Mori to have real battles to make weight and not be able to fight at 100% as a result. Mori told his gym on January 27th that he would be retiring, and explained that his stablemate and multi-weight world champion Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16) [井岡一翔], had essentially told him to look after his health.
Mori has been quoted in the Japanese press as saying "I went to various hospitals and had tests, but I couldn't find a way to completely cure it. Boxing is a sport that risks your life. It's not easy to get into the ring in this situation. What's more, I'm aiming for the world. It's difficult to improve yourself to that level when you can't even practice properly." The specifics of the issue related to his thyroid gland and internal hormones, leaving him unable to control his blood sugar levels. As a result he suffered from symptoms such as dizziness and sometimes fading consciousness, with the dizziness preventing him from sparring and affected his ability to make weight.
It’s been reported that the issues with Mori’s health had been ongoing for years, affecting him in his March 2023 bout against Takuya Watanabe, which resulted in a draw, saw a bout later that year being cancelled and came close to retiring after that. He took time from the ring, before returning late last year but looked a shadow of his usual self, which we assumed was ring rust though now reflecting on this illness it’s clear what the issue was.
Notable that latest bout appears to have been the final nail for Mori, who subsequently said "I thought that if I could only box that much against that opponent, I couldn't do it anymore. On the other hand, I felt relieved that I was able to fight that match despite being pushed to do it. I have no regrets, because I was freed from a life of constantly thinking about my illness."
Regarding the advice he has received from Ioka, Mori explained that Ioka has said "If he (Mori) had consulted me and said, 'I'm wondering if I should retire,' I would have advised him, 'You'd better quit now.' The fact that he was hit in that match was proof that he wasn't moving the way he wanted to in the first place. Boxing is a matter of life and death. I'm relieved that Musashi has decided to retire. Your second life is longer,"
We want to wish Mori all the best in his post boxing career, and it’s a shame that his career, much like that of the very talented Ryo Matsumoto, appear to have come to a close due to thyroid issues, which curtailed both men’s career before they managed to live up to their huge potential. The issues show that sometimes what prevents a fighter from making it to the top is their underlying health issues, and hopefully Mori’s retirement will be a happy and long one, with the fighter explaining he would like to be involved in boxing still, but is unsure on what he will be doing going forward.
The talented Mori, who once seemed to be on the track to a world title, has reportedly been suffering from dizziness caused by an unknown abnormality in his thyroid hormones, leading Mori to have real battles to make weight and not be able to fight at 100% as a result. Mori told his gym on January 27th that he would be retiring, and explained that his stablemate and multi-weight world champion Kazuto Ioka (31-3-1, 16) [井岡一翔], had essentially told him to look after his health.
Mori has been quoted in the Japanese press as saying "I went to various hospitals and had tests, but I couldn't find a way to completely cure it. Boxing is a sport that risks your life. It's not easy to get into the ring in this situation. What's more, I'm aiming for the world. It's difficult to improve yourself to that level when you can't even practice properly." The specifics of the issue related to his thyroid gland and internal hormones, leaving him unable to control his blood sugar levels. As a result he suffered from symptoms such as dizziness and sometimes fading consciousness, with the dizziness preventing him from sparring and affected his ability to make weight.
It’s been reported that the issues with Mori’s health had been ongoing for years, affecting him in his March 2023 bout against Takuya Watanabe, which resulted in a draw, saw a bout later that year being cancelled and came close to retiring after that. He took time from the ring, before returning late last year but looked a shadow of his usual self, which we assumed was ring rust though now reflecting on this illness it’s clear what the issue was.
Notable that latest bout appears to have been the final nail for Mori, who subsequently said "I thought that if I could only box that much against that opponent, I couldn't do it anymore. On the other hand, I felt relieved that I was able to fight that match despite being pushed to do it. I have no regrets, because I was freed from a life of constantly thinking about my illness."
Regarding the advice he has received from Ioka, Mori explained that Ioka has said "If he (Mori) had consulted me and said, 'I'm wondering if I should retire,' I would have advised him, 'You'd better quit now.' The fact that he was hit in that match was proof that he wasn't moving the way he wanted to in the first place. Boxing is a matter of life and death. I'm relieved that Musashi has decided to retire. Your second life is longer,"
We want to wish Mori all the best in his post boxing career, and it’s a shame that his career, much like that of the very talented Ryo Matsumoto, appear to have come to a close due to thyroid issues, which curtailed both men’s career before they managed to live up to their huge potential. The issues show that sometimes what prevents a fighter from making it to the top is their underlying health issues, and hopefully Mori’s retirement will be a happy and long one, with the fighter explaining he would like to be involved in boxing still, but is unsure on what he will be doing going forward.