March 18, 2011
TOKYO, JAPAN
The Japanese boxing fraternity has made a strong step forward to cope with the disastrous damage caused by the horrible earthquakes and tsunami since last Friday. At first we have to appeal to the world that the disaster only took place in the northern Japan, north to Tokyo, Fukushima, Miyagi and Iwate Prefectures. Therefore, the areas west to Tokyo has been so undamaged that fight cards will be held as scheduled: March 21, in Osaka, Teppei Aoki (Japan) vs. Louie Bantigue (Philippines); March 27, in Nagoya, OPBF super-bantam elimination bout between world-rated Hiromasa Ohashi (Japan) vs. Jhunriel Ramonal (Philippins); March 27, in Kobe, world-rated 154-pounder Yuki Nonaka (Japan) vs. Ade Alfons (Indonesia).
Only shows slated in this late-March at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo have been postponed until May?to mourn people dead in the disaster, and other cards in April in Tokyo will certainly take place as scheduled.
The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), the executive secretary of which is energetic and effective Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, has quickly established a JBCfs relief fund for donation by nationwide boxing fans to the Japanfs Red Cross. Hideyuki Ohashi, formerly WBC/WBA 105-pound champ and currently president of Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA; the union of club-owners), also decided to make a donation to the great many victims in northern places.
It seems that radioactive fears here have been exaggerated abroad, as we, residents in the capital Tokyo, lead our lives safely and soundly with only problem of limited electricity, which prevent us from using electricity all day long?but minus only three hours every day. It means we can use electricity for twenty-one hours as usual. Thatfs not so bad. The electricity and our fistic activity as well will recover soon, hopefully. Time will tell.
(3-18-11)