Korean-Japanese boxer Hong Chang-soo has retired from the ring after the eighth defense of his World Boxing Council super flyweight title.

The Japanese daily Nikkan Sports said Tuesday that Hong, better known by his Japanese name Toyukama Masamori, on Monday announced his retirement after beating Jose Navarro in a unanimous decision in Osaka.

The 32-year-old Hong raised his record to 32 twins, three losses and a draw with eight knockouts.

Debuting in 1992, Hong is only the third boxer in Japan to defend his title eight times.

First winning the title against South Korean Cho In-joo in 2000, Hong was named Japan's top boxer from 2000-2003 and earned North Korea's "People's Athlete" award in 2001.

A supporter of Korean unification, the third-generation Korean-Japanese lost the title in 2004 to Katsushige Kawashima, but regained the belt in a rematch in July last year.