World Boxing Association (WBA) minimum weight champion Yutaka Niida will surrender his title belt and retire from the ring for good, WBA officials said Monday.
Niida, expressed his intention to hang up his gloves to Mitsunori Seki, president of Niida's Yokohama Hikari Gym, after beating champion Chana Porpaoin of Thailand in a unanimous decision in his first shot at a world title in August.
The 23-year-old Yokohama native apparently felt no need to continue in the sport after winning the title match. Niida is the first Japanese world champion to retire without attempting to defend a title.
"I feel refreshed because it's finally over. There is a 99 percent chance that I won't come out of retirement. I feel that I may have disappointed my fans, but I am satisfied with my decision," said Niida after visiting the Japan Boxing Commission to return the title belt.
Niida's decision to retire was firm, though many of his supporters tried to convince him otherwise.
He announced his intention to relinquish the crown and call it quits last Friday to sources at Hikari Gym.
"I have some lower back pain, but I decided from when I started to box that I'd quit once I became the world champion. I wanted to follow through with this," said Niida. "I can only say that I am satisfied. It's not that I don't want to defend the title -- but I feel there's no need," he added.