YOTA SATO HANGS 'EM UP

According to the WBC, a special presser was held at the Kyoei Boxing Gym in Japan to announce that former WBC 115-pound champion Yota Sato (26-3-1 with 12 KOs) will hang up the gloves. Sato explained he can’t make the weight anymore, and doesn’t want to move to another division. This prompted his retirement. Sato became WBC super flyweight champion by unanimous decision over Thai Suriyan Sor Rungvisai in Tokio on March 2012 and successfully defended his title twice until losing it last May to Thai Srisaket Sor Rungvisai (Editor's note: Thai boxers often adopt their gym name or the name of a sponsor, so gym mates often have similar names without being related). Boxingtalk wishes Sato a rewarding retirement and notes with respect that Sato lost his first pro fight but persevered until reaching his dream of a world title. --Scott Shaffer