"We're in uncharted territory," was how ABC sports commentator Dan Dierdorf began his announcement of the first women's professional boxing match on U.S. network television. That was in 1997.
In Japan four years later, the territory is still largely uncharted in terms of public awareness, although interest is steadily growing, with 500 enthusiastic spectators packing Kitazawa Town Hall in Tokyo's Setagaya Ward for an Oct. 10 title bout.
Then, over the full distance of 10 punishing rounds of two minutes each, Naoko Tsuchida tied with Yumi Yashima for what would have been Japan's first national flyweight championship title.