There will be no boxing in March in Japan because of the coronavirus threat.
The day after a card was postponed in northern Italy because of the spreading threat of a pandemic, the Japanese Boxing Commission and Japanese Professional Boxing Association announced in a joint statement Wednesday that they are “suspending all boxing during a one-month period, nationwide.’’
A card at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Thursday will be the last boxing in Japan until at least April 1.
Fifteen cards were scheduled for March in Japan – nine in Tokyo, one in Osaka, one in Okayama, one in Fukuoka, one in Okinawa and two in Kariya in Aichi Prefecture.
The boxing decision came a day after International Olympic Committee Vice President Richard Pound sparked fears that the virus, a respiratory infection, could threaten the Tokyo Olympics.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Pound said that a decision would have to be made “two to three months” before opening ceremonies on July 24.
“You could certainly go to two months out if you had to,” Pound said. “By and large, you’re looking at a cancellation. This is the new war, and you have to face it. In and around there, folks are going to have to say: ‘Is this under sufficient control that we can be confident of going to Tokyo or not?’”
However, on Wednesday, a spokesman for the Japanese government said the IOC and those organizing the Games plan to stage them as planned. He said Pound can express his opinion but that it’s not the official view of the IOC.
On Tuesday, Matchroom Boxing announced that a card featuring a super-middleweight fight between Daniele Scardina (18-0, 14 KOs) and Andrew Francillette (21-2-1, 5 KOS) in Milan would be re-scheduled because of the virus.
Multiple deaths in Italy prompted authorities to place restrictions on public events in various regions, including Lombardy, where Milan is located. The Italian restrictions, which have forced postponements of soccer and rugby events, will last until March 1.
On Jan. 23, junior welterweight Jose Ramirez’s title defense against Viktor Postol on Feb.1 in Haikou, China, was canceled and then rescheduled for May 9 in Fresno, California, Ramirez’ hometown.