The East Japan Boxing Association decided on June 15 to continue its 20,000-yen (about 182 dollars) subsidies per boxer participating in boxing bouts to boxing promoters through this December as one of the measures to combat COVID-19.

The decision, made at the day’s regular board meeting, is an extension of the current relief system launched in January this year.

While the system initially did not clarify the use of subsidies, the association made it clear this time that the subsidies must be used only for PCR inspection fees and those required for the confinement to hotels for participating boxers.

Meanwhile, Ambition GYM, to which World Boxing Organization super flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka belongs, will change its name to Shisei Boxing Gym and will officially be launched on July 15 in Tokyo’s Meguro Ward.

Hitherto, boxers of Ambition GYM, headed by former Japanese super flyweight champion Takuya Kiya, have rented EBISU K’s BOX in nearby Shibuya Ward.

It was also reported at the day’s board meeting that Noda Star Boxing Gym, northeast of Tokyo, submitted its written notice to withdraw from the association. The gym, used to be held by former World Boxing Association super welterweight champion Masashi Kudo, is expected to continue as an amateur boxing gym, according to boxing sources.