By Joe Koizumi
Photos by Sumio Yamada

Tomorrow (Tuesday) is Japan’s national holiday named Culture Day, when the WBA 108-pound title bout was scheduled to take place in Osaka, Japan.  The weigh-in ceremony was over this afternoon with the defending champion Hiroto Kyoguchi (14-0, 9 KOs), Japan, scaling at 107.75, and #10 challenger Thanongsak Simsri (14-0, 12 KOs), Thailand, 107.5. 

At the weigh-in, both contestants received a PCR test of COVID-19 infection.  Hours later, the champ tested positive, along with his trainer, and the title bout has been just canceled! The JBC executive secretary Tsuyoshi Yasukochi and Watanabe Promotions urgently has had a press conference to announce the unexpected and unprecedented cancellation.  What news!

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