FAQ on Japanese Boxing
Over the last few years we've been asked various questions about Japanese boxing, and have decided to do a bit of an FAQ section so that we can answer them all in one place.
If you want a question adding to this please contact us on @Asianboxing or e-mail us at asianboxing@asianboxing.info
What is the JBC?
The Japanese Boxing Commission are the commission in charge of boxing in Japan. The Commission oversee all professional boxing in the country and a fighter needs a JBC license to fight in Japan. They are responsible for the Japanese licenses, including fighter, gym and managers, as well as Japanese rankings and generally upholding rules and standards. They are responsible for the Invitation-prohibited boxer.
What is the “Invitation-prohibited boxer”?
This is a list of fighters not allowed to be invited to fight in Japan. Generally visiting fighters are added to this list for a lack of skill, a failure to make weight or a lack of effort. The idea of this list is to make sure a promoter can't pad records with the same inept visitors, and to punish visiting fighters who have shown a lack of professionalism.
What type of licenses is there in Japan?
In Japan a fighter can get a C, B or A license. A C license is for novices, with no prior experience, and limits a fighter to 4 round bouts. A B license is typically what a good amateur fighter has, and typically limits fighters to 6 round bouts, whilst an A license fighter is allowed in longer fights.
What must someone do to get a license in Japan?
A Japanese hopeful will need to pass two tests. One is a written test, to show they under stand the rules of the sport, whilst the other is a practical test, a “pro-test” bout, which will involve sparring in front of officials.
There are also limits on on age, with a lower limit that is hard set and high limit which is soft set, based on passing medical examinations.
What is different about the Japanese system?
The Japanese system of professional boxing is massively different from how boxing is run in the West. In the west a promoter will typically be able to match two of their fighters, as with see consistently with Top Rank, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Matchroom and the PBC. The promoter and the gym where fighters train are separate entities, usually, with promoters taking fighters from across the world, or country.
In Japan the gym is also, usually, the promoter and is based in 1 location, with fighters typically training in that gym. The gym can't have two fighters facing off against each other, due to JBC rules, which means that certain potential bouts can't take place unless one of the fighters transfers away from the gym. At the moment this would mean bouts like Hiroto Kyoguchi Vs Ryoichi Taguchi couldn't take place as both are with the Watanabe Gym.
How many gyms is there?
Lots. There are genuinely loads of gyms across Japan, though the main ones that fans will be aware of are the Teiken Gym, Watanabe, Ohashi, Mutoh, Ioka, Shinsei, Kyoei Misako, Yokohama Hikari, World Sport and Hatanaka. Many of the gyms are run by former fighters, though others are run by business people, and the JB Sports Gym is actually owned by the man behind the Hajime No Ippo series.
Where can I get tickets?
For most shows we advise checking directly with the promoter and the fighters, as well as looking on https://t.pia.jp/sports/boxing, who sell a tickets for a number of promoters.
What are the best boxing magazines in Japan?
The most notable publications for boxing in Japan are "Boxing Magazine" and "Boxing Beat", both are released monthly and contain similar type of content. There are also programmes sold at the venue.
What are the most used venues?
The used venue is the Korakuen Hall, in Tokyo where many we get most of the Tokyo based promoters running regular shows. Dubbed the "Holy Ground" the venue is well known for Boxing, Wrestling and other combat sports and is a small, intimate venue with a fantastic atmosphere. Whilst the Korakuen Hall is used mostly for smaller shows the bigger cards are often held at venues like the Ota-City General Gymnasium.
Outside of Tokyo the Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, which is also known as the EDION Arena Osaka and Previously the Bodymaker Colosseum, is also a very regularly used venue, with most local promoters running shows there on a frequent basis. Another venue used quite often in Osaka is the Sumiyoshi Ward Center.
Outside of those the two main markets venues like the Aioi Hall hall in Aichi, KBS Hall in Kyoto, the Kagoshima Arean in Kagoshima and the Arena in Kanagawa are known to hold shows.
What are the regular events and Tournaments?
Every year the Japanese boxing scene gets the Rookie of the Year, which begins relatively early in the Year and finishes in December. The tournament is features winners from local tournaments battling in the All Japan final. The minor tournaments are regional, leading to a West Vs East winner in the All Japan final.
The Rookie of the Year competition is held in every division from Minimumweight to Middleweight, except for Light Middleweight.
As well as the Rookie of the Year there are also C and B class tournaments held through the year courtesy of promotional company Dangan.
Another major event is the Champion Carnival, which is a series of bouts held in the first half of the year where national champions face off with mandatory contenders. The top contenders are typically decided late the previous year in “Japanese title challenger decider bouts”, which were previously part of the “Strongest Korakuen”. If a title is vacant the top 2 available contenders will typically battle for the title.
What titles can a Japanese fighter hold?
In theory they can actually fight for any title, however the JBC will only sanction certain titles on their soil. These are, at world level, the WBA, WBC, WBO and WBC titles, at regional level the OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific titles, and at domestic domestic level Japanese, and Japanese female titles. They also sanction Japanese youth titles and WBC Youth titles.
As a result you won't see Intercontinental, International or Silver titles being fought for on Japanese soil.
Is there competition to the JBC?
At the moment there isn't, the Commission essentially has a monopoly over the Japanese system, and on the whole it's not criticised too much. There was however IBF Japan back in the 1980's, when the IBF formed and wasn't originally accepted by the JBC, who didn't recognise them or the WBO until very recently. The IBF Japan was the last notable threat to the JBC and in reality it didn't put up much competition.
Show names and Broadcasting Section
What is “Dynamic Glove”?
Dynamic Glove is the name of the boxing broadcasts shown on G+. These are sometimes live and sometimes delayed, though all the live shows are repeated on delay. Sometimes the live cards are rebranded Dyanmic Glove SP, or Dynamic Glove Special.
What is “Guts Fighting”?
Guts Fighting is the typical name for broadcasts shown on delay on TBS. These cards are often shown a week, or more, after taking place and typically feature edited footage from one or two fights.
What is “Diamond Glove”?
Diamond Glove is one of a number of names for shows broadcast on delay by Fuji TV. Typically a Diamond Glove card is put on by Misako Gym, or reason. The main event is usually broadcast along with highlights of a second bout, however sometimes a second bout is aired in full.
Diamond Glove also has a classics series, shown on one of Fuji sister channels and sometimes a “Diamond Glove Special” which are aired live, though these have been faded out in recent years for a different name of show.,
What is “Phoenix Battle”?
Phoenix Battle shows are typically televised on delay on Fuji TV, and are promoted by Hideyuki Ohashi, who was dubbed the Phoenix when he was fighting. Like the “Diamond Glove” shows these typically only see edited footage of one or two bouts.
What is “Fuji Boxing”?
Fuji Boxing is the third set of Fuji televised cards and have essentially become the replacement for the “Diamond Glove Specials” in that they are live. These come from a number of promoters with Fuji working alongside Teiken, for Ryota Murata, Ohashi Gym, for Naoya Inoue, SGS Gym, for Daigo Higa, and BMB Sports, for Ken Shiro.
What are “Dangan” cards?
The Dangan series of shows are shows put on by Dangan, also referred to as reason promotions. They are now usually featured on Dangan's subscription service Boxingraise (more about that below), though occasional the Dangan branded shows are done as joint promoted cards and could end up on TV. The televised Dangan cards have been scaled back significantly in recent years however.
What is Boxingraise?
Boxingraise is a Japanese boxing subscription service offering a huge VOD library, as well as an occasional live show. The service is run by Dangan but features shows from a number of promoters and includes a free section as well as the paid section. In many ways this is the best way to watch Japanese domestic boxing and typically there are in excess of 4 shows added a month. At less than 1000 yen the service is worth trying out, and they have done free introductory months in the past.
Are there TV issues stopping fights?
In a word, yes. Most notable fighters are linked to a TV channel and many of them can't fight on a different channel. There are however examples where a fighter has fought on a rival channel before and it's certainly not the same complicated issue that we see in the US and the UK. It's rare to see fighters crossing over channels, but it does happen.
What is the biggest TV issue for boxing in Japan?
There are a number of issues with televised boxing in Japan. Whilst very, very few bouts are "PPV" in Japan it doesn't mean there aren't issues. Firstly a lot of action is on Tape Delay, which often means fights are shown after midnight and not live, this is particularly an issue for things like Diamond Glove and Guts Fighting. The late broadcast time and the lack of live coverage is an issue.
Secondly some channels are only available in certain areas of the country. For most fights it means Tokyo and Osaka get bouts, but channels like CBC are only available in specific locations, meaning that certain fights, notable those of Kosei Tanaka, were only shown live in one area of Japan, to a very small audience. This has been criticised by fans, but continues still.
Over the last few years we've been asked various questions about Japanese boxing, and have decided to do a bit of an FAQ section so that we can answer them all in one place.
If you want a question adding to this please contact us on @Asianboxing or e-mail us at asianboxing@asianboxing.info
What is the JBC?
The Japanese Boxing Commission are the commission in charge of boxing in Japan. The Commission oversee all professional boxing in the country and a fighter needs a JBC license to fight in Japan. They are responsible for the Japanese licenses, including fighter, gym and managers, as well as Japanese rankings and generally upholding rules and standards. They are responsible for the Invitation-prohibited boxer.
What is the “Invitation-prohibited boxer”?
This is a list of fighters not allowed to be invited to fight in Japan. Generally visiting fighters are added to this list for a lack of skill, a failure to make weight or a lack of effort. The idea of this list is to make sure a promoter can't pad records with the same inept visitors, and to punish visiting fighters who have shown a lack of professionalism.
What type of licenses is there in Japan?
In Japan a fighter can get a C, B or A license. A C license is for novices, with no prior experience, and limits a fighter to 4 round bouts. A B license is typically what a good amateur fighter has, and typically limits fighters to 6 round bouts, whilst an A license fighter is allowed in longer fights.
What must someone do to get a license in Japan?
A Japanese hopeful will need to pass two tests. One is a written test, to show they under stand the rules of the sport, whilst the other is a practical test, a “pro-test” bout, which will involve sparring in front of officials.
There are also limits on on age, with a lower limit that is hard set and high limit which is soft set, based on passing medical examinations.
What is different about the Japanese system?
The Japanese system of professional boxing is massively different from how boxing is run in the West. In the west a promoter will typically be able to match two of their fighters, as with see consistently with Top Rank, Queensberry, Golden Boy, Matchroom and the PBC. The promoter and the gym where fighters train are separate entities, usually, with promoters taking fighters from across the world, or country.
In Japan the gym is also, usually, the promoter and is based in 1 location, with fighters typically training in that gym. The gym can't have two fighters facing off against each other, due to JBC rules, which means that certain potential bouts can't take place unless one of the fighters transfers away from the gym. At the moment this would mean bouts like Hiroto Kyoguchi Vs Ryoichi Taguchi couldn't take place as both are with the Watanabe Gym.
How many gyms is there?
Lots. There are genuinely loads of gyms across Japan, though the main ones that fans will be aware of are the Teiken Gym, Watanabe, Ohashi, Mutoh, Ioka, Shinsei, Kyoei Misako, Yokohama Hikari, World Sport and Hatanaka. Many of the gyms are run by former fighters, though others are run by business people, and the JB Sports Gym is actually owned by the man behind the Hajime No Ippo series.
Where can I get tickets?
For most shows we advise checking directly with the promoter and the fighters, as well as looking on https://t.pia.jp/sports/boxing, who sell a tickets for a number of promoters.
What are the best boxing magazines in Japan?
The most notable publications for boxing in Japan are "Boxing Magazine" and "Boxing Beat", both are released monthly and contain similar type of content. There are also programmes sold at the venue.
What are the most used venues?
The used venue is the Korakuen Hall, in Tokyo where many we get most of the Tokyo based promoters running regular shows. Dubbed the "Holy Ground" the venue is well known for Boxing, Wrestling and other combat sports and is a small, intimate venue with a fantastic atmosphere. Whilst the Korakuen Hall is used mostly for smaller shows the bigger cards are often held at venues like the Ota-City General Gymnasium.
Outside of Tokyo the Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, which is also known as the EDION Arena Osaka and Previously the Bodymaker Colosseum, is also a very regularly used venue, with most local promoters running shows there on a frequent basis. Another venue used quite often in Osaka is the Sumiyoshi Ward Center.
Outside of those the two main markets venues like the Aioi Hall hall in Aichi, KBS Hall in Kyoto, the Kagoshima Arean in Kagoshima and the Arena in Kanagawa are known to hold shows.
What are the regular events and Tournaments?
Every year the Japanese boxing scene gets the Rookie of the Year, which begins relatively early in the Year and finishes in December. The tournament is features winners from local tournaments battling in the All Japan final. The minor tournaments are regional, leading to a West Vs East winner in the All Japan final.
The Rookie of the Year competition is held in every division from Minimumweight to Middleweight, except for Light Middleweight.
As well as the Rookie of the Year there are also C and B class tournaments held through the year courtesy of promotional company Dangan.
Another major event is the Champion Carnival, which is a series of bouts held in the first half of the year where national champions face off with mandatory contenders. The top contenders are typically decided late the previous year in “Japanese title challenger decider bouts”, which were previously part of the “Strongest Korakuen”. If a title is vacant the top 2 available contenders will typically battle for the title.
What titles can a Japanese fighter hold?
In theory they can actually fight for any title, however the JBC will only sanction certain titles on their soil. These are, at world level, the WBA, WBC, WBO and WBC titles, at regional level the OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific titles, and at domestic domestic level Japanese, and Japanese female titles. They also sanction Japanese youth titles and WBC Youth titles.
As a result you won't see Intercontinental, International or Silver titles being fought for on Japanese soil.
Is there competition to the JBC?
At the moment there isn't, the Commission essentially has a monopoly over the Japanese system, and on the whole it's not criticised too much. There was however IBF Japan back in the 1980's, when the IBF formed and wasn't originally accepted by the JBC, who didn't recognise them or the WBO until very recently. The IBF Japan was the last notable threat to the JBC and in reality it didn't put up much competition.
Show names and Broadcasting Section
What is “Dynamic Glove”?
Dynamic Glove is the name of the boxing broadcasts shown on G+. These are sometimes live and sometimes delayed, though all the live shows are repeated on delay. Sometimes the live cards are rebranded Dyanmic Glove SP, or Dynamic Glove Special.
What is “Guts Fighting”?
Guts Fighting is the typical name for broadcasts shown on delay on TBS. These cards are often shown a week, or more, after taking place and typically feature edited footage from one or two fights.
What is “Diamond Glove”?
Diamond Glove is one of a number of names for shows broadcast on delay by Fuji TV. Typically a Diamond Glove card is put on by Misako Gym, or reason. The main event is usually broadcast along with highlights of a second bout, however sometimes a second bout is aired in full.
Diamond Glove also has a classics series, shown on one of Fuji sister channels and sometimes a “Diamond Glove Special” which are aired live, though these have been faded out in recent years for a different name of show.,
What is “Phoenix Battle”?
Phoenix Battle shows are typically televised on delay on Fuji TV, and are promoted by Hideyuki Ohashi, who was dubbed the Phoenix when he was fighting. Like the “Diamond Glove” shows these typically only see edited footage of one or two bouts.
What is “Fuji Boxing”?
Fuji Boxing is the third set of Fuji televised cards and have essentially become the replacement for the “Diamond Glove Specials” in that they are live. These come from a number of promoters with Fuji working alongside Teiken, for Ryota Murata, Ohashi Gym, for Naoya Inoue, SGS Gym, for Daigo Higa, and BMB Sports, for Ken Shiro.
What are “Dangan” cards?
The Dangan series of shows are shows put on by Dangan, also referred to as reason promotions. They are now usually featured on Dangan's subscription service Boxingraise (more about that below), though occasional the Dangan branded shows are done as joint promoted cards and could end up on TV. The televised Dangan cards have been scaled back significantly in recent years however.
What is Boxingraise?
Boxingraise is a Japanese boxing subscription service offering a huge VOD library, as well as an occasional live show. The service is run by Dangan but features shows from a number of promoters and includes a free section as well as the paid section. In many ways this is the best way to watch Japanese domestic boxing and typically there are in excess of 4 shows added a month. At less than 1000 yen the service is worth trying out, and they have done free introductory months in the past.
Are there TV issues stopping fights?
In a word, yes. Most notable fighters are linked to a TV channel and many of them can't fight on a different channel. There are however examples where a fighter has fought on a rival channel before and it's certainly not the same complicated issue that we see in the US and the UK. It's rare to see fighters crossing over channels, but it does happen.
What is the biggest TV issue for boxing in Japan?
There are a number of issues with televised boxing in Japan. Whilst very, very few bouts are "PPV" in Japan it doesn't mean there aren't issues. Firstly a lot of action is on Tape Delay, which often means fights are shown after midnight and not live, this is particularly an issue for things like Diamond Glove and Guts Fighting. The late broadcast time and the lack of live coverage is an issue.
Secondly some channels are only available in certain areas of the country. For most fights it means Tokyo and Osaka get bouts, but channels like CBC are only available in specific locations, meaning that certain fights, notable those of Kosei Tanaka, were only shown live in one area of Japan, to a very small audience. This has been criticised by fans, but continues still.