Seiya Tsutsumi

Seiya Tsutsumi, born on December 24, 1995, in Kumamoto, Japan, is a Japanese professional boxer. Currently fighting out of Tokyo, he represents the Kadoebi Boxing Gym. Standing at 5'5 with a reach of 65 inches, Tsutsumi has made a name for himself in the bantamweight division. As of December 17, 2023, he holds impressive rankings, including being third in the world by the WBA, fourth by the IBF, and ninth by BoxRec.

Tsutsumi made an explosive professional debut on March 27, 2018, winning by a first-round knockout. In September 2019, he transferred to the Kakuebi Geki Boxing Gym and entered the prestigious GOD’S LEFT bantamweight tournament, advancing to the finals after a bye in the semi-finals. His final match in January 2020 against Kazuki Nakajima ended in a majority draw after eight rounds. Later that year, Tsutsumi fought former WBC flyweight champion Daigo Higa, which also ended in a majority draw.

In June 2022, Tsutsumi captured the Japanese bantamweight title with an eighth-round TKO victory over Kyosuke Sawada. He successfully defended his title twice, including an impressive ninth-round TKO win over Kenshin Oshima in October 2022 and a seventh-round TKO against the No. 1 ranked Japanese bantamweight, Minamide, in March 2023. Minamide retired after this bout, solidifying Tsutsumi's dominance in the division.

Tsutsumi participated in the Monster Tournament organized by Ohashi Boxing Gym in late 2023, where he faced Kazuki Anaguchi. He knocked down Anaguchi four times en route to a unanimous decision win. Tragically, Anaguchi never regained consciousness and passed away six weeks after the fight. Following this victory, Tsutsumi vacated his Japanese bantamweight title in January 2024 to focus on pursuing a world title in the bantamweight division.

Seiya Tsutsumi’s boxing style is a fascinating throwback to the old-school, rugged, WWF and ECW era of professional wrestling. It’s highly entertaining, filled with drama, and often feels as much like a spectacle as a fight. Imagine leather jackets, backstage antics, and moments of chaos that extend into the ring. Tsutsumi embodies this grit with a style that emphasizes bouncing on his front leg, reminiscent of the dynamic, explosive movement seen in popular anime characters like Luffy’s Gear Fourth form from One Piece. Much like Luffy, Tsutsumi adapts to his opponents by blending multiple styles into a unique and versatile approach.

Tsutsumi’s strategy often revolves around walking his opponents down, slipping and rolling punches with calculated precision. He seeks to control the central line, positioning himself to unleash clean, impactful shots. This approach allows him to operate like a tank, absorbing pressure while breaking down his opponents methodically. What stands out is his explosive bounce - sometimes desperate yet strikingly effective - which lets him sneak opponents toward the ropes. Once there, he capitalizes by targeting the body with sharp, flaring shots before transitioning upstairs for devastating combinations.

One of Tsutsumi’s most effective techniques is his ability to dip to both sides of his body, keeping his head and torso off the centerline. This movement creates subtle angles from which he can launch a rapid one-two combination, often catching opponents by surprise. His wide stance provides a strong base, enabling him to defend effectively and resist being pushed backward during exchanges.