Kazuto Ioka in trouble with the JBC due to tattoo
Posted: 06 Jan 2021, 09:55
Kazuto Ioka in trouble with the JBC due to tattoo
One New Year's Eve we saw WBO Super Flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (26-2, 15) [井岡一翔] retain his title with an 8th round TKO win over fellow Japanese fighter Kosei Tanaka (15-1, 9) [田中恒成], in what was a fantastic bout to end 2020.
Yesterday in Japan news broke that despite the win Ioka may be in trouble with the JBC for breaking one of their rules.
The JBC rule in question states "a person with a tattoo or other style that makes the audience feel uncomfortable" is unable to compete in a bout.
Typically a fighter with a tattoo is allowed to fight in Japan, the Western interpretation of the rule banning tattoos altogether, though the tattoo must be concealed. Usually this is done with sporting tape, concealing and various inoffensive powders, used to mask the colour and shape of the tattoo. The rule is also, only really, applicable to Japanese fighters and doesn't apply to international fighters, making it a very inconsistent rule at the best of times.
Reportedly Ioka did make effort to conceal the tattoo, a rather large tattoo on his left arm and left side, though those efforts appear to have failed and his tattoos were fully on show during the fight, which drew a very large audience figure and some complaints.
It was reported that Ioka had used foundation to cover the offending tattoo, and that he had been instructed the day before to hide it and follow the rules. It's also been reported that in the in the changing room before the bout, when he had his gloves checked, the tattoo was hidden, though by the time he was in the ring the tattoo was visible. A JBC official is quoted in some of the Japanese press as stating "Maybe the paint was lighter than before. I wondered if he was already sweating at the up stage or before the start of the game, but when the game started, it became clearer and clearer. The tattoo was visible,"
After the bout JBC officials were questioned about it and as a result a meeting will take place to discuss possible punishments for Ioka at an ethics committee meeting. There they could do one of 6 things, ranging from a Strict Caution right through to cancelling his license. Though if we're being honest we suspect it'll be a relatively light punishment. In fact if anything we suspect the ethics committee to give him a punishment similar to the one recently given to Kenshiro Teraji for his drunken misbehaviour out of the ring.
Although Ioka is a big name, it's been made clear he hasn't been given special permission with the JBC Secretary General, Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, has been quoted in the Japanese press as saying "I have never given special permission because he is him. The rule violation is clear and we are currently considering how to deal with it."
Interestingly a number of Japanese sites are beginning to question the rule, asking whether it's an outdated rule or unfair on local fighters, as it doesn't apply to visiting fighters. The rule is due to the links to organised crime members in Japan, and specifically things like the Yakuza. Historically fighters like Tatsuki Kawasaki, who came from a criminal background, had to remove his tattoos.
In recent years tattoos have become more of a fashion statement globally, but the rule is still in effect and is one that is still rooted in Japanese culture. Though as we move forward Japanese culture is probably going to join the rest of the world and begin to disassociate body art with the criminal underworld in the coming years.
One New Year's Eve we saw WBO Super Flyweight champion Kazuto Ioka (26-2, 15) [井岡一翔] retain his title with an 8th round TKO win over fellow Japanese fighter Kosei Tanaka (15-1, 9) [田中恒成], in what was a fantastic bout to end 2020.
Yesterday in Japan news broke that despite the win Ioka may be in trouble with the JBC for breaking one of their rules.
The JBC rule in question states "a person with a tattoo or other style that makes the audience feel uncomfortable" is unable to compete in a bout.
Typically a fighter with a tattoo is allowed to fight in Japan, the Western interpretation of the rule banning tattoos altogether, though the tattoo must be concealed. Usually this is done with sporting tape, concealing and various inoffensive powders, used to mask the colour and shape of the tattoo. The rule is also, only really, applicable to Japanese fighters and doesn't apply to international fighters, making it a very inconsistent rule at the best of times.
Reportedly Ioka did make effort to conceal the tattoo, a rather large tattoo on his left arm and left side, though those efforts appear to have failed and his tattoos were fully on show during the fight, which drew a very large audience figure and some complaints.
It was reported that Ioka had used foundation to cover the offending tattoo, and that he had been instructed the day before to hide it and follow the rules. It's also been reported that in the in the changing room before the bout, when he had his gloves checked, the tattoo was hidden, though by the time he was in the ring the tattoo was visible. A JBC official is quoted in some of the Japanese press as stating "Maybe the paint was lighter than before. I wondered if he was already sweating at the up stage or before the start of the game, but when the game started, it became clearer and clearer. The tattoo was visible,"
After the bout JBC officials were questioned about it and as a result a meeting will take place to discuss possible punishments for Ioka at an ethics committee meeting. There they could do one of 6 things, ranging from a Strict Caution right through to cancelling his license. Though if we're being honest we suspect it'll be a relatively light punishment. In fact if anything we suspect the ethics committee to give him a punishment similar to the one recently given to Kenshiro Teraji for his drunken misbehaviour out of the ring.
Although Ioka is a big name, it's been made clear he hasn't been given special permission with the JBC Secretary General, Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, has been quoted in the Japanese press as saying "I have never given special permission because he is him. The rule violation is clear and we are currently considering how to deal with it."
Interestingly a number of Japanese sites are beginning to question the rule, asking whether it's an outdated rule or unfair on local fighters, as it doesn't apply to visiting fighters. The rule is due to the links to organised crime members in Japan, and specifically things like the Yakuza. Historically fighters like Tatsuki Kawasaki, who came from a criminal background, had to remove his tattoos.
In recent years tattoos have become more of a fashion statement globally, but the rule is still in effect and is one that is still rooted in Japanese culture. Though as we move forward Japanese culture is probably going to join the rest of the world and begin to disassociate body art with the criminal underworld in the coming years.
