Former world and Olympic boxing champion Ryota Murata announced his retirement Tuesday, saying he had run out of challenges following his loss last year to two-time former unified middleweight world champion Gennady Golovkin.
Murata (16-3) had become Japan’s first-ever middleweight gold medalist at London 2012 Olympics, defeating Brazil’s and current IBF middleweight #1 contender, Esquiva Falcao. Murata won Japan’s first boxing Olympic medal at the games since 1964.
Murata became the WBA world middleweight champion in 2017 following two encounters with Hassan N’Dam in May of that year, with Murata losing a controversial split decision. The rematch took place in October of that year, with Murata forcing N’Dam to retire on his stool after seven rounds.
Murata would lose the title to Rob Brant in 2018 via a unanimous decision however would halt Brant inside two rounds in a rematch the following year.
Murata was last in the ring in April of last year against Golovkin. Murata would give a fantastic effort against Golovkin. However, Murata would ultimately fall to a ninth-round stoppage defeat. At the time of the defeat to Golovkin, Murata indicated that he might not step back into the ring again.
Murata would confirm his retirement on Tuesday at a press conference.
“This is a commencement named retirement for me. I have nothing left to prove in the boxing world. I wish to utilize and return my experience and knowledge to people that have supported me—in the future. It took me a long time to make the decision, but I couldn’t find anything more I wanted out of boxing, Murata announced.
“If you’re an athlete, once your dream comes true, you lose your enthusiasm,
“Now I want to build a career and prove that life isn’t just about competition.”