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Boxing: Ex-Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata

File photo taken on July 12, 2019 shows Japan's Ryota Murata smiling after beating Rob Brant of the United States with a second-round technical knockout in their WBA middleweight boxing title match at Edion Arena Osaka. Murata, the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title, announced his retirement on March 28, 2023.

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Boxing: Ex-Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata

File photo taken on July 12, 2019 shows Japan's Ryota Murata (R) throwing a punch at Rob Brant of the United States on his way to a second-round technical knockout in their WBA middleweight boxing title match at Edion Arena Osaka. Murata, the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title, announced his retirement on March 28, 2023.

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Boxing: Ex-Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata

File photo taken on Aug. 11, 2012 shows Japanese boxer Ryota Murata posing for a photo with the gold medal following his victory in the men's middleweight final at the London Olympics. Murata, the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title, announced his retirement on March 28, 2023.

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Boxing: Ex-Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata quits

Ryota Murata, the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic and professional world championship, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on March 28, 2023, in which he announced his retirement.

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Boxing: Ex-Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata quits

Ryota Murata, the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic and professional world championship, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on March 28, 2023, in which he announced his retirement.

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Boxing: Ex-Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata quits

Ryota Murata, the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic and professional world championship, speaks at a press conference in Tokyo on March 28, 2023, in which he announced his retirement.

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Boxing: Former Olympic, WBA champ Murata ready to quit

Ryota Murata attends an award ceremony for best boxers in Tokyo on Feb. 22, 2023. The first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world championship said the same day he has effectively retired.

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Boxing: Former Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata

Photo taken in August 2012 shows Japanese boxer Ryota Murata (L) punching Brazil's Esquiva Falcao Florentino en route to winning the men's middleweight final at the London Olympics. On Feb. 22, 2023, Murata, who became the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world championship, said he has effectively retired.

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Boxing: Former Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata

Undated file photo shows middleweight boxer Ryota Murata, the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title. Murata said on Feb. 22, 2023, he has effectively retired.

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Boxing: Former Olympic, WBA middleweight champ Murata

File photo taken in August 2012 shows Japanese boxer Ryota Murata posing for a photo with the gold medal following his victory in the men's middleweight final at the London Olympics. Murata, the first Japanese boxer to win both an Olympic gold medal and a professional world title, said on Feb. 22, 2023, he has effectively retired.

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Olympic gold medalist Murata beats Nicklow

TOKYO, Japan - London Olympic middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata (R) lands a right on American Jessie Nicklow in the 10th round at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium in the Japanese capital on Dec. 30, 2014. Murata won the bout by a unanimous decision.

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Event marking 50th anniv. of 1964 Tokyo Olympics starts

TOKYO, Japan - Current and retired athletes pose on the opening day of a weeklong event in Tokyo on Oct. 6, 2014, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1964 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in the Japanese capital. From L: 2010 London Olympics middleweight boxing gold medalist Ryota Murata, Japanese Olympic Committee President Tsunekazu Takeda, artistic gymnastics legend Takashi Ono and 1992 Barcelona Paralympics swimming silver medalist Junichi Kawai.

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London Olympic gold medalist Murata wins

TOKYO, Japan - London Olympic middleweight champion Ryota Murata (R) lands a punch on Mexico's Adrian Luna in the first round of a nontitle bout in Tokyo on Sept. 5, 2014. Murata won in a 10-round decision, extending his unbeaten streak to five, with four KOs.

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London Olympic medalist Murata scores KO in nontitle fight

KYOTO, Japan - London Olympic middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata of Japan scores a sixth-round knockout over Mexican Jesus Angel Nerio in his fourth professional nontitle fight in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 22, 2014.

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London Olympic medalist Murata smiles after scoring KO

KYOTO, Japan - London Olympic middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata of Japan smiles after scoring a sixth-round knockout over Mexican Jesus Angel Nerio in his fourth professional nontitle fight in Kyoto, western Japan, on May 22, 2014.

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Macao draws attention as venue for pro boxing matches

MACAO, China - Macao, China, draws international attention as an increasingly popular venue for professional boxing matches featuring star fighters such as Japan's 2012 London Olympics middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata. He fought a nontitle match at Cotai Arena at a luxury hotel in the former Portuguese colony on Feb. 22, 2014, as shown in this photo.

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Japanese boxer Murata wins 3rd pro bout in Macao

MACAO, China - London Olympics middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata of Japan poses with his hand print in Macao on Feb. 22, 2014, after winning his third professional boxing nontitle bout. Murata scored a fourth-round technical knockout over Brazilian Carlos Nascimento.

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Japanese boxer Murata smiles after winning fight in Macao

MACAO, China - London Olympics boxing middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata (C) of Japan smiles after scoring a fourth-round technical knockout over Brazilian Carlos Nascimento in his third professional boxing nontitle bout in Macao on Feb. 22, 2014.

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Japnese boxer Murata punches opponent in fight in Macao

MACAO, China - London Olympics boxing middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata (L) of Japan punches Brazilian Carlos Nascimento during the first round of his third professional boxing nontitle bout in Macao on Feb. 22, 2014. Murata scored a technical knockout in the fourth round.

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Murata scores 4th-round KO in fight in Macao

MACAO, China - London Olympic middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata of Japan poses for photos after scoring a fourth-round technical knockout over Brazilian Carlos Nascimento in his third professional boxing nontitle bout in Macao on Feb. 22, 2014.

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Olympic gold medal boxer Murata wins 3rd professional bout

MACAO - London Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata of Japan (L) delivers a punch to Carlos Nascimento of Brazil during the third round of their eight-round middleweight bout in Macao on Feb. 22, 2014. Murata scored a fourth round technical knockout over Nascimento in his third professional fight.

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Japanese boxer Murata KO's opponent in fight in Macao

MACAO, China - London Olympics boxing middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata (L) of Japan knocks down Brazilian Carlos Nascimento during the third round of his third professional boxing nontitle bout in Macao on Feb. 22, 2014. Murata scored a technical knockout in the fourth round.

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Olympic gold medal boxer Murata wins 3rd professional bout

MACAU - London Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata of Japan (L) delivers a punch to Carlos Nascimento of Brazil during the third round of their eight-round middleweight bout in Macao on Feb. 22, 2014. Murata scored a fourth round technical knockout over Nascimento in his third professional fight.

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Olympic boxing champion Murata meets the press in Macao

MACAO, China - London Olympic middleweight boxing gold medalist Ryota Murata of Japan speaks to the press in Macao on Feb. 20, 2014, before his upcoming third professional fight.

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Olympic boxing champion Murata meets the press in Macao

MACAO, China - London Olympic middleweight boxing gold medalist Ryota Murata (2nd from L) of Japan poses with other competitors during a press conference in Macao on Feb. 20, 2014, before his upcoming third professional fight.

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Olympic boxing champion Murata shadowboxes in Macao

MACAO, China - London Olympic gold medal-winning middleweight boxer Ryota Murata shadowboxes at a Macao hotel on Feb. 19, 2014, before his upcoming third professional fight in Macao.

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Japan's boxer Murata heads to Macao for 3rd pro fight

NARITA, Japan - London Olympic middleweight gold medalist Ryota Murata of Japan smiles as he responds to reporters' questions at Narita airport on Feb. 18, 2014, before departing for Macao for his third professional fight. Murata will take on Carlos Nascimento of Brazil in an eight-round middleweight bout on Feb 22.

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Murata smiles as he meets press in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese boxer Ryota Murata smiles during a press conference at Teiken Gym in Tokyo on Feb. 12, 2014 while preparing for his third professional fight. The London Olympic middleweight champion is set to fight Carlos Nascimento of Brazil in Macao on Feb. 22.

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Murata trains for 3rd professional fight

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese boxer Ryota Murata prepares for his third professional fight during a training session at Teiken Gym in Tokyo on Feb. 12, 2014. The London Olympic middleweight champion is set to fight Carlos Nascimento of Brazil in Macao on Feb. 22.

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Murata spars with American boxer Jones in Tokyo

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese boxer Ryota Murata (R) spars with American Mike Jones at Teiken Gym in Tokyo on Feb. 12, 2014 as he prepares for his third professional fight. The London Olympic middleweight champion is set to fight Carlos Nascimento of Brazil in Macao on Feb. 22.

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Boxer Murata returns to Japan after training in U.S.

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese boxer Ryota Murata, the London Olympic middleweight champion currently ranked No. 1 in the same weight category by the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation, arrives in Japan on Feb. 10, 2014, after training in the United States.

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Murata wins 2nd pro fight

TOKYO, Japan - London Olympic middleweight champion Ryota Murata (R) attacks American Dave Peterson in the first round of a non-title fight at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Dec. 6, 2013. Murata, the Japanese and OPBF No. 1, won his second professional fight when he scored a technical knockout victory in the eighth round.

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Murata gets TKO win in pro debut

TOKYO, Japan - London Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata raises his trophy after winning his pro debut nontitle match with a second-round stoppage of Akio Shibata, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation middleweight champion, at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo on Aug. 25, 2013.

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Murata gets TKO win in pro debut

TOKYO, Japan - London Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata holds his plaque after winning his pro debut nontitle match with a second-round stoppage of Akio Shibata, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation middleweight champion, at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo on Aug. 25, 2013.

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Murata gets TKO win in pro debut

TOKYO, Japan - London Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata (R) lands a blow on Akio Shibata, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation middleweight champion, sending his opponent down in the first round of his pro debut nontitle match at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo on Aug. 25, 2013. Murata won the match with a second-round stoppage of Shibata.

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Murata gets TKO win in pro debut

TOKYO, Japan - London Olympic gold medalist Ryota Murata (R) connects with a punch on Akio Shibata, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation middleweight champion, in his pro debut nontitle match at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo on Aug. 25, 2013. Murata won the match with a second-round stoppage of Shibata.

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Japanese medalists at London Olympics

TOKYO, Japan - Japanese gold medalists at the London Olympics, (from L front) Ryota Murata (men's middleweight boxing), Kohei Uchimura (men's gymnastics individual all-around), Hitomi Obara (women's wrestling 48-kilogram class), Saori Yoshida (women's wrestling 55-kilogram class), Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu (men's 66 kilogram freestyle wrestling), Kaori Icho (women's wrestling 63-kilogram class) and Kaori Matsumoto (women's judo 57-kilogram category) pose for photos with other medalists in Tokyo on Aug. 14, 2012.

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Japanese Olympic delegation arrives back in Japan

NARITA, Japan - Ryota Murata holds up his gold medal after arriving at Narita airport from London on Aug. 14, 2012, with other members of the Japanese Olympic delegation. Murata won the gold in the men's middleweight class boxing at the London Olympics.

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Murata gold, Shimizu bronze in Olympic boxing

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata (L) and Satoshi Shimizu pose with their medals during a press conference at the Main Press Centre in Olympic Park on Aug. 12, 2012. Murata won the gold medal in the men's middleweight class while Shimizu won the bronze in the men's bantam class at the 2012 London Olympics.

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Murata wins middleweight gold in Olympic boxing

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata holds up the gold medal he won in the men's middleweight class boxing at the 2012 London Olympics at the ExCeL venue on Aug. 11, 2012. He won the first Olympic boxing medal for Japan in 48 years.

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Murata wins middleweight gold in Olympic boxing

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata (L) fights Brazil's Esquiva Falcao Florentino during the men's middleweight boxing final at the ExCeL venue at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 11, 2012. Murata beat Falcao Florentino to claim the gold.

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Murata wins middleweight gold in Olympic boxing

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata celebrates after defeating Brazil's Esquiva Falcao Florentino in the men's middleweight boxing final at the 2012 London Olympics at the ExCeL venue on Aug. 11, 2012. Murata became the first Japanese in 48 years to win an Olympic gold medal in men's boxing.

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Murata wins middleweight gold in Olympic boxing

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata (L) celebrates after defeating Brazil's Esquiva Falcao Florentino (R) in the men's middleweight boxing final at the 2012 London Olympics at the ExCeL venue on Aug. 11, 2012. Murata became the first Japanese in 48 years to win an Olympic gold medal in men's boxing.

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Murata wins middleweight gold in Olympic boxing

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata (R) fights Brazil's Esquiva Falcao Florentino during the men's middleweight boxing final at the ExCeL venue at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 11, 2012. Murata beat Falcao Florentino to claim the gold.

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Murata reaches men's middleweight boxing final

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata (R) fights Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev during the men's middleweight class boxing semifinals at the ExCeL venue at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 10, 2012. Murata beat Atoev.

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Murata reaches men's middleweight boxing final

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata responds to cheers after defeating Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev in the men's middleweight class boxing semifinals at the ExCeL venue at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 10, 2012.

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Murata reaches men's middleweight boxing final

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata (L) fights Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev during the men's middleweight class boxing semifinals at the ExCeL venue at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 10, 2012. Murata beat Atoev.

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Murata reaches men's middleweight boxing final

LONDON, Britain - Japan's Ryota Murata (L) defeats Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev (R) in the men's middleweight class boxing semifinals at the ExCeL venue at the 2012 London Olympics on Aug. 10, 2012.

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Japan's Murata reaches last 8 in middleweight boxing

LONDON, Britain - Japanese boxer Ryota Murata (L) defeats Algeria's Rahou Abdelmalek (R) 21-12 in a middleweight boxing match at the London Olympics at the ExCeL competition venue in London on Aug. 2, 2012, to advance to the quarterfinals.

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Japan's Murata reaches last 8 in middleweight boxing

LONDON, Britain - Japanese boxer Ryota Murata (R) punches Algeria's Rahou Abdelmalek in a middleweight boxing match at the London Olympics at the ExCeL competition venue in London on Aug. 2, 2012. Murata won 21-12 to advance to the quarterfinals.