SOUL BOX Hatanaka Boxing Gym, to which former three-division world champion Kosei Tanaka belongs, said on May 1 it has addressed a questionnaire to Japan Boxing Commission Commissioner Tsutomu Nagaoka concerning reports that World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka of Ambition GYM allegedly tested positive for doping in his title defense against Tanaka on Dec. 31 last year.

Kiyoshi Hatanaka issued a questionnaire through mail to the JBC commissioner on Apr. 30 while releasing a statement, ‘’I have strong doubts about matters surrounding the JBC’s attitude concerning Mr. Ioka’s alleged doping problems in the title fight on New Year’s Eve. I have, therefore, sent the questionnaire through contents-certified mail as of Apr. 30. I trust I can receive the reply when the Golden Week holiday period (May 5) is over.’’

While Ioka stopped previously undefeated Tanaka in the eighth round to retain the title, weekly magazines reported on Apr.26 that Ioka had tested positive for doping in the fight.

The Ioka side has insisted upon his innocence while criticizing the JBC’s attitudes on the matter as the JBC had said it would set up an ethics committee but has so far neither clarified whether or not an illegal drug was detected nor what kind of the procedures it took.