The Japanese boxing world is expected to resume boxing matches at various places in Japan after a hiatus of several months due to the prolonged novel coronavirus infection or COVID-19.

While details are yet to be available, most of these bouts will take place behind closed doors or with a limited number of spectators to maintain social distancing.

According to sources concerned with the matches, the central Japan rookies’ tournament in Kariya, Aichi Prefecture, will take place on July 12.
The Oriental-Pacific Boxing Federation featherweight title match between champion Satoshi Shimizu and compatriot Kyohei Tonomoto is slated at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on July 16, along with the Japanese super lightweight title match between undefeated champion Koki Inoue and Daishi Nagata.

After some fights are planned in Okinawa on July 19, the Japanese super flyweight title match between champion Kenta Nakagawa and Yuta Matsuo will lead the bouts on July 22 at the Koakuen Hall, known as the mecca of boxing.

While details are yet to be announced, some matches are planned in Kobe, western Japan, on July 25, the Japanese light flyweight championship between Masamichi Yabuki and Tsuyoshi Sato will be held in Kariya on July 26. The title was left vacant by Yuto Takahashi.