(JULY 17)  I had the opportunity to see the work of  Asako Tonaril while I was in Japan working the WBC Female Mini-Flyweight World Title fight in Osaka, Japan, between Yuko Kuroki & Masae Akitaya.

I was totally impressed by her skills as a Referee!

At this present time, Asako is the only female working in Japan as a Referee.  When Asako, came in she was the second female, other than another woman who is now is gone. 

Asako is the only woman standing, so to speak, in a total male dominated boxing officials pool. I give her much props to hang in there in her position, and to continue to grow amongst her peers and gain that respect, to show she is just as good and qualified to be working as a Pro Boxing Referee.

I asked Asako about her background in the sport:

Stephen:  What drew you to boxing?

Asako:  I looked at the fight of "Tatsuyoshi Joichiro" one of the famous world champions in Japan, and was attracted to the superhuman movement of him and his skills.  I was then interested in boxing.  Then, I read an article on  Laila Ali, who was featured in the magazine "ELLE".  Too know that women were in professional boxing, it made me want to become a professional boxer.

I fought as an amateur with a 3-3 record. 

As a pro boxer, I had a 3-2-1 (2KO) record.   I retired from fighting professionally in 2013.


Asako added:  To hear that JBC was recruiting a female referee, it was aspiring to her to become a referee and judge with the Japan Commission.

"I became a referee and judge since February 28, 2015. As for now 10 bouts of the referee, I been a the judge of the 20 bouts. I am the second female referee ever in Japan. I am now the only active female referee in all of Japan.  My goal is to become a referee of world class status in the world, added Asako.