The former world minimumweight world champion of the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO, Katsunari Takayama, 36 years old, has officially announced that he is going to return to the professional boxing ring.

In 2017, Katsunari Takayama retired from boxing as WBO minimumweight world champion in order to take action in amateur boxing to seek an opportunity to participate in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Despite his will, Takayama was unable to fulfill his wish. As he lost on points in an elimination bout in August 2019 in the flyweight category.

Takayama's record in amateur boxing was two wins and one loss. Takayama's record in professional boxing was 32-8 (12KOs). The last fight for Takayama in professional boxing took place in 2016 in the city of Sanda of Hyogo province against local fighter Riku Kano, whom he defeated by technical decision for vacant WBO minimumweight crown.

Takayama says that “Since the end of December, I started to entertain thoughts on my return to the paid boxing ring and started training authentically since February 1st. I still have one thing left to do in paid boxing. I propose to carry out my dream to gloriously finish my boxing career. I have no worries about my age of 36, so I'm going back to boxing. I started boxing at my age of 14 and will continue boxing for two more calendar years.”

Last August, Takayama lost in amateur boxing in a test fight to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Right after his defeat in amateur boxing, Takayama manifested his retirement from boxing life altogether.

Takayama is now 36 years old. According to the stipulation of the Japan Boxing Commission, the age limit regulation system is 37 years old. But Takayama has great merits in professional boxing, and therefore, he has the privilege to prolong the age limit for his pro career.