Kazuki Anaguchi Dies at Age 23 After Suffering Brain Injury in Dec. Boxing Fight

Boxer Kazuki Anaguchi has died at the age of 23 due to injuries he suffered in a Dec. 26 bout against Seiya Tsutsumi, the Japanese Boxing Commission (h/t Brent Brookhouse of CBS Sports) announced Friday.

Anaguchi vs. Tsutsumi was on the undercard of the show headlined by Naoya Inoue and Marlon Tapales for the undisputed super bantamweight championship. It was a close bout throughout, despite Anaguchi being knocked down in four different rounds.

Tsutsumi won by unanimous decision to retain the Japanese bantamweight title.

Brookhouse noted after the fight ended, Anaguchi was seen in the corner with his legs twitching while trainers were tending to a cut.

Per Jake Donovan of BoxingScene.com, Anaguchi was transported to a hospital when he fell into an unconscious state before arriving in his assigned room. He underwent an emergency craniotomy to remove a subdural hematoma in his brain.

Anaguchi remained unconscious after the surgery before his death.

After recording a 68-6 record as an amateur, Anaguchi turned pro in July 2021. He won each of his first six professional bouts before the match with Tsutsumi.