The Japan Pro Boxing Association and Japan Boxing Commission jointly reconfirmed at their liaison council meeting on Sept. 28 that all the members concerned firmly observe the novel coronavirus prevention guidelines so as to avoid the virus known as the COVID-19.

During the online meeting, they decided to tackle the matter head-on, and if a boxing gym or gyms that have failed to observe the guidelines, they will deserve severe punishment, including the possible membership disqualification, the East Japan Boxing Association said.

While pro boxing matches resumed last July after the COVID-19-caused hiatus of more than four months, certain cases of unfavorable conducts have been observed, including boxers leaving a designated hotel without asking after their prefight official weigh-ins, and boxers having ‘’physical contact’’ with fans immediately after their bouts, according to meeting sources.

While regulations concerning the staging of sporting events in general have been beginning to be eased, the boxing world must shape up its attitude. That is, should a coronavirus cluster occur, irreparable damage can be done to the social credibility of boxing as a professional sport, the sources said.

The EJBA said it will discuss details on the matter at its next board meeting in October.