Thanongsak title bout put off

Tokyo: Japan’s WBA light-flyweight super champion Hiroto Kyoguchi has tested positive for Covid-19, his gym announced yesterday, forcing organisers to scrap his title defence against Thailand’s Thanongsak Simsri.

Kyoguchi, 26, who had been due to face Thanongsak in Osaka today, tweeted simply “I’m really sorry” without giving any further details.

“We learned today that Kyoguchi and his trainer tested positive for the coronavirus,” a staff member at Kyoguchi’s gym told AFP.

“The title match scheduled for tomorrow is cancelled,” she said, adding it might be rearranged for a later date.

The abrupt announcement came just hours after the two boxers passed their weigh-ins.

Both Kyoguchi and Thanongsak, 20, are currently 14-0 as professionals.

Kyoguchi had been due to defend his title in May, but the bout was postponed because of the pandemic.

The Thai boxer had been…