Japanese Lightweight Caliente Koyasu

Earlier this year we were lucky enough to catch up with Japanese boxer Caliente Koyasu (3-2, 1) who was happy to do a quick e-mail interview with us. The 29 year old fighter is one of the few Japanese boxers who speaks English and is happy to talk to fans in English and has carved out a small yet interesting career on the Japanese domestic scene. He fights out of the gym headed by Cassius Naito, a former OPBF and Japanese Middleweight champion, and is a wonderfully engaging man outside of the ring, as well as an exciting between the ropes.
 
AB-Thanks for agreeing to answer some questions for us, to begin with what attracted you to boxing?
CK-Boxing is clearly win or lose sports that fighters have all the responsibility unlikely other team sports. That’s what makes me think I have to make an effort for myself. 

AB-What are your goals in the sport?
CK-My goal so far is to be ranked in Japan ranking and have a dinghy in the US. (Place doesn’t matter.)

AB-Who's the most talented fighter you've shared the ring with? (can be an opponent, or someone you've sparred with)
CK-I cannot say he was the best but as far as I remember Fujita Yasutaka (Nagoya Ohashi Gym) being a good fighter 
[Editors note - Fujita is 5-1 (5) as a professional and came runner up in the 2019 All Japan Rookie of the year]

AB-Not many Japanese fighters speak English, but you seem fairly fluent in it. What's the background between you speaking the language so easily?
CK-I went to University in the US ( California state University, Northridge) that’s how I learned English.

AB-I remember following you when you'd give English language lessons to your followers, with the charming introduction of "What's up boys?" what was the reason for stopping those videos?
CK-I was working on making the videos on my own. I was able to do that because I didn’t have full time job at that time. I started to work full time now and I can barely make time for that. I wish I can start that if people want to see it!

AB-You train at the Cassius Gym, run by former OPBF and Japanese Middleweight champion Cassius Naito. What are the best things about training at the Gym and the other fighters there?
CK-The Cassius gym is a pretty small family owned gym. I've known Ricky since I was 15 so I’m familiar with his family too. The manager is Rickys mom and her hospitality and kindness is the key in this gym. Other fighters are pretty nice to each other. A lot of fighters are from same local city. So we are tight knit! 
[Editor's note- Ricky is the son of the owner of the gym, Cassius Naito]

AB-Outside of boxing what do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
CK-I love the nature and relaxing things so I go to hot springs and camping too.

AB-Have you any idea of when you'll be fighting again?
CK-I just lost the fight at the end of the year but I didn’t have heavy injury so hopefully ASAP.
[Editor's note - Caliente lost a technical decision on the under-card of Ryota Murata's bout with Steven Butler, those watching on some international feeds actually got the chance to watch this bout]

AB-And finally Is there any message you'd like to give to any fans?
CK-I can't say I’m young in this sports industry so I don’t know how long I can continue boxing until. However, I’m doing my best to improve my skills and become stronger every single day. I do my best to show my fans my best performance every single fight!

​A huge thanks to Caliente for agreeing to this interview and for his answer's. We look forward to seeing him in the ring against in 2020!

​(Image from the Cassius Gym)

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