Hiromichi Momose, one of Pride's producers, was found dead in his Tokyo apartment this Sunday.
Son of a gang leader, he was 67 years old, and had spent 6 years in prison on charges of using a firearm, before giving up crime and becoming a writer, poet and, as he defined himself, a “negotiator.” ”. Momose was one of the most powerful figures in the fighting world in Japan. He was a man of renowned connections and a close friend of Japanese icon Antonio Inoki. Momose put up the first 50 million yen to start Pride through Dream Stage Entertainment. Following the suicide of DSE president Naoto Morishita in January 2003, it is the second death of one of the great leaders of the extinct Pride. Japanese police said the cause of death is under investigation