Katsunari Takayama petitions JBC to change rules
Over the last few weeks we reported that Katsunari Takayama (31-8-0-1, 12) [高山 勝成] had announced he was returning to the professional ranks, and had signed with the Neyagawa Ishida Boxing Club to restart his career. We also reported that he would need to fight by May 12th to comply with Japanese licensing rules, regarding mandatory retirement at the age of 37, unless a fighter has fought in the last 3 years.
Today it's been revealed that Takayama has asked the JBC to change that rule, with a petition beginning to get the rule changed.
In normal times Takayama would have fit in a fight before his birthday, and did have one scheduled for May 10th. These aren't normal times though and his May 10th bout has now been postponed due to the massive global situation.
At the moment it's unclear if Takayama will be listened to by the JBC and the JPBA, but fingers crossed that they do listen to the former champion and do accept that his case, especially given the global situation, is different and that they should maybe "bend" the rules rather than flat out change them here.
Today it's been revealed that Takayama has asked the JBC to change that rule, with a petition beginning to get the rule changed.
In normal times Takayama would have fit in a fight before his birthday, and did have one scheduled for May 10th. These aren't normal times though and his May 10th bout has now been postponed due to the massive global situation.
At the moment it's unclear if Takayama will be listened to by the JBC and the JPBA, but fingers crossed that they do listen to the former champion and do accept that his case, especially given the global situation, is different and that they should maybe "bend" the rules rather than flat out change them here.