Dear Hozumi Hasegawa,
It comes as a hard thing for me to write but I have decided an open letter is a good idea to express my feeling that it is time to “shiawasena intai”.
As Japanese fighting great you lost for the third time by stoppage in 4 years and you are no longer what you once were, a great, great fighter. For many you are the greatest Japanese fighter in a generation. For me you were the man who proved you don’t need knock out power to be a star, you need skills and you need style. You were what Joichiro Tatsuyoshi was supposed to be, a great, classy and talented fighter.
Lets not have you turn into what “Joe” is now. Joe made the mistake of fighting too much when his body couldn’t take it any more. Joe is now, as you know, “yotte panchi” and it would be very saddening for you to follow him there. You are smarter than that, I hope.
After watching your recent fight with Kiko Martinez of Spain it was clear your great career has taken it’s toll on your body. At 33 years old you are no longer a young man, you are a veteran of the ring a veteran of the fight game and a legend of the boxing world. Retire as a legend.
It is nice to retire on top, of course it would have been amazing to be a 3-weight world champion, but injuries now are unnecessary. The facial fractures suffered yesterday don’t provide the honour and pride that retiring and working with new young fighters would. It would be an honour to see you follow the “Supīdokingu” and work on TV as a commentator full time.
Please Hozumi, do not fight another danger fight. Have retirement fight, share ring with Shinsuke Yamanaka, the “Goddorefuto”, then walk away with your head held high.
Yours
Takahiro Onaga
Takahiro Onaga is a regular contributor to www.asianboxing.info and is also one of the panel at the Transnational Boxing Rankings Board.
