Some thoughts about a recent trip to Japan.

[Gandalf]

I was surprised to see the large amount of boxing and kickboxing gyms in the Osaka and surrounding areas. Also from what I observed their skill level and training methods are disciplined and good though I don't think there will be many sparring partners if you are above welter. If I was a lightweight or below and aspiring a career in boxing I would probably go out there and launch into the professional ranks since it seems like the professional fighters there are taken care of well in terms of purses. I mean it seems like a whole other world where the lower weights are the epic center of the industry and there are fights going all the time. Though I'm not sure exactly about the match making opportunities if you don't know the Japanese language or aren't well connected.

On another note I found the Japanese to be xenophobic and felt like I was a burden at times and was even denied entry to some restaurants. At times I was completely ignored when asking for directions in the subway. Though the younger crowd and the people outside of the big cities were a bit more open to me, but it's hard to tell you if I would actually enjoy living there. The natural beauty of the place and its infrastructure is incredible though.

What are your thoughts on Japan from a boxing perspective and have any of you guys trained or fought there for extended period of time? Also is the 'rudeness' or total 'avoidance' I felt from some people normal?

日本で孤立した Im having lunch right now in Osaka and YES they are very xenphobic but cant say I was denied any restaurants and Im with my wife who is Indian. I did see a boxing gym about 10 blocks from here 帝拳ボクシングジム which is the sister gym of the main one in Tokyo, Osaka Teiken Boxing Gym

You could post a picture next to it Brock and show us. Be a sport.

[Gandalf]

Mind you I would take it personally if I was turned away from a restaurant or died from a heart attack in the street becasue nobody called an ambulance. It would be mildly annoying to say the least. I remember on my first trip to Japan walking to the embassy to get my visa and I seemed to pass into some kind of red light zone. An old Japanese woman was trying to explain what was on offer. I was like 'Leave me alone you pimp I have an embassy to catch'. Sometimes they are not so reticent. I think like with anywhere you will have xenophobes though, just look at the West these days.