Masako: Only Female Boxing Trainer in Japan

Copyrighted photo/magazine – Boxing Illustrated Magazine October 1973

In the Boxing Illustrated Magazine that was definitely ahead of it’s time, where they not only covered mens’ boxing, but they also covered a huge variety of others in the sport from female boxers who were amateurs, to the women in the past who tried their hand at boxing, and then female boxers who began getting some sanctioned bouts in the 1970’s where they not only had a women’s corner for female boxers, but they also had for many years the World Ratings for women boxers.

In 1973, it was reported in the Boxing Illustrated that there was only one female trainer in Japan.  They wrote the following, “Masako by day, is a salesgirl in a cosmetic shop.  In the evening, the 122-pound trainer supervises the training of 20 young aspiring fighters.  Here she is master-minding the neck bends of a bantam protege [pictured].