Kiyoto Narukami, Cebu-based Japanese pug retires after R4 KO win in Japan

CEBU CITY, Philippines — Cebu-based Japanese boxer Kiyoto Narukami has closed the chapter on his professional career in fitting fashion, announcing his retirement on Saturday, June 20, shortly after scoring a fourth-round knockout win over fellow Japanese fighter Ryuto Maekawa in a ZIP-Sanman boxing event in Aichi, Nagoya, Japan.

Narukami finishes his career with a record of nine fights, posting six wins, two losses, and one draw, with three victories coming by knockout.

The 23-year-old Osaka native had been based in Cebu since joining the ZIP-Sanman Boxing Team several years ago, training under multi-awarded coach Michael Domingo.

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In a heartfelt message following his final bout, Narukami reflected on his return to boxing after stepping away from the sport for four years during his teenage years. He credited former world champion and stablemate Melvin Jerusalem as a key inspiration for his comeback.

Fulfilled, joyful

“I won my final fight by 4th-round KO, and I’m truly grateful that I was able to leave the ring with a victory. After being away from boxing for four years since I was 16, I never thought I would return to this world again,” Narukami said.

“What made me step back into the ring and chase the dream of becoming a world champion was seeing Melvin win a world title. My career didn’t unfold exactly as I had imagined. I had two big opportunities and couldn’t make the most of them. The regret of never becoming a champion still remains. But despite everything, I can honestly say that my boxing journey was incredibly fulfilling and full of joy.”

He also expressed gratitude to ZIP-Sanman Boxing and the ALA Gym for giving him the platform to develop as a professional fighter.

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Life-changing move

Narukami added that moving to Cebu became a life-changing decision, where he eventually met his wife and started a family.

“Boxing gave me so much more than wins and losses. It gave me irreplaceable relationships and shaped my entire life. To my wife and Yuki, thank you for coming into my life and making it so meaningful. Although my career as a professional boxer comes to an end, I hope to remain involved in the sport I love in one way or another,” he added.

Meanwhile, his stablemates Pete Apolinar and Alex Santisima also delivered wins on the same card. Apolinar stopped Ryusei Ishii via third-round TKO to snap a five-fight losing streak in Japan, while Santisima scored a first-round knockout over fellow Filipino Richard Pumicpic.

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