Their faces may be swollen and their noses might get bloodied, but Japanese female boxers have no intention of stepping out of the ring.
A year after the formation of the Japan Women's Boxing Association, the sport has grown rapidly in popularity. An increasing number of serious fighters have emerged, and at least 300 boxing gyms nationwide are reported to be training female boxers.
The most recent women's bouts, held March 23 in Tokyo, proved that the sport is markedly professional and international. Some 400 spectators, including the media, packed Kitazawa Town Hall and roared with enthusiasm as they witnessed not only Japan's mini-flyweight champion defending her title, but also unprecedented bouts with Russian fighters.