Haru Nagano, longtime manager at the Teiken Gym in Tokyo, Japan, has died at age 99, the WBC announced Sunday.
Nagano “was a fundamental essential for the enormous number of fighters who have passed through its prestigious portals,” the WBC wrote in a blog post confirming the news.
“Miss Nagano also worked for many years in the operations of Teiken Promotions, alongside Mr. Akihiko Honda, President of the most important boxing promotion company in Japan.”
The Teiken Gym, established in 1946, has seen renowned modern fighters such as Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, Jesse “Bam” Rodriguez, Jorge Linares, Carlos Cuadras and Ryota Murata pass through its doors.
Nagano’s career in boxing stretches back further than many people’s lifetimes. A clipping from the May 13, 1968 edition of the St. Petersburg Times dedicated to overseas sports referred to a then-upcoming bout between Yoshiaki Akasaka and middleweight champion Nino Benvenuti. Nagano, then Akasawa’s manager, stated in the paper that he was “elated and thankful” for the chance to fight a world champion. More than five decades later, Nagano remained at work in boxing.
An earlier post about Nagano found on the WBC’s website reads, “Miss Nagano is a kind person but with a strong character and above all very passionate about her work and boxing,” and marveled at her continued work ethic deep into her nineties.
Teiken Gym’s website also paid tribute to Nagano, indicating that she had passed during medical treatment and discouraging visits or gifts, per Nagano’s wishes. The website also stated that the funeral will be a family-only affair.
“She was the most loved and caring person who took on administering Teiken promotions gym and sacrificed her life for boxing,” WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman posted on social media.
Read the full article here
