TOKYO: Ryota Murata, who ended Japan’s long wait for Olympic boxing gold by taking the men’s middleweight title in London last year, had decided to turn professional.
The 27-year-old has joined the Misako Gym stable in Tokyo, Japanese media reported on Friday. No details of his debut bout were disclosed.
Murata beat Brazilian Esquiva Falcao Florentino 14-13 with some shrewd inside fighting at the London Games to win Japan’s first boxing gold since 1964.
Olympic gold medalist Murata to turn professional
