Hideyuki Ohashi, head of Ohashi Boxing Gym to which Naoya ‘’the Monster’’ Inoue belongs sought on June 14 the introduction of betting on sports so that ordinary boxers can get more purses at a meeting held at the ruling Liberal Democratic Party Headquarters in Tokyo.

  Speaking at a meeting with a Japanese parliamentarians’ group to vivify the Japanese pro boxing world, Ohashi, an advisor of Japan Pro Boxing Association, said, ‘’While the purse of Inoue is often cited at various places, it is only a handful of boxers who can get good purses. I hope to see the introduction of betting on sports so that ordinary boxers’ purses can be increased.’’

  The group’s head Katsunobu Kato, its secretary general Akihisa Nagashima, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito, former Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera, all of the LDP, were among the participants from the political world. The group was officially launched last year.

  Nagashima said, ‘’We would like to give as much as possible our assistance to boxers’ new life after retirement.’’

  Japan Pro Boxing Association President Shoji Kobayashi appreciated the fact that the authorization of the residence status for foreign boxers became much smoother. Such authorization was dilatory before due partly to the COVID-19 restrictions.

  Japan Boxing Commission President Minoru Hagiwara, West Japan Pro Boxing Association head Masato Yamashita, Tokyo Dome Corp.’s Representative Director Chairman and CEO Yoshikazu Kitahara were also among the participants in the day’s meeting.