Japan to have heavyweight boxing after 51 years

The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) will give tests to 10 applicants, including kickboxers and mixed martial arts fighters hoping to join the professional ranks from late November. “The heavyweight division existed in Japan but there were insufficient boxers above super middleweight to sustain a ranking system,” the JBC's Eiichiro Sameshima told Reuters on Friday. “We have had 10 applications for tests above the 75kg class (super middle).”

JBC officials are also bringing in light heavyweight and cruiserweight rankings in a bid to boost the sport's image in the country.

The country has produced numerous world champions at lighter weights but struggled to make its mark in the meatier glamour divisions.

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