Sunday, April 29th, 2018.
Late morning, the area surrounding Yoyogi Gymnasium is already alive with activity. Streams of spectators continue pouring through the entrances, many carrying event merchandise, others stopping to take photographs beneath the giant promotional banners hanging outside the venue.
Unlike most Japanese boxing events, today's schedule begins unusually early. The opening bout starts at eleven o'clock, a deliberate decision to accommodate the American market.
Now, even during the opening curtain-raiser, thousands of seats are already occupied. Inside the ring, there is little sign that either fighter cares about television schedules or international audiences.
