The Japan Boxing Commission said on Oct. 13 Haruki Ishikawa, who was supposed to appear in the day’s chief-supporting match at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall and his chief second in his 40s each tested positive for the novel coronavirus after taking PCR tests, forcing the cancellation of the scheduled eight-round bout with seventh-ranked Japanese bantamweight Kai Chiba.

While neither has experienced any symptoms so far, this is the first time that persons concerned have shown positive reaction in customary prefight tests conducted on the eve of a fight ever since Japanese professional boxing matches resumed in July despite the confusion surrounding the COVID-19.

Although the JBC had the rest of boxers and referees go through antigen tests in the morning of Oct. 13, all of them had negative test results, which made it possible to carry out the event itself, except the chief-supporting card.

JBC Secretary General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi lamented the occurrence and pledged not to repeat the similar incidents by closely cooperating with public health centers and local autonomous bodies. ‘’I painfully realized the difficulties in conducting sporting activities amid the existence of the COVID-19. But we will do our best not to repeat the same mistake by stepping up our infection control efforts by discussing how we can maintain sporting activities despite such unfavorable circumstances.’’