TOKYO —

A capacity crowd of about 2,000 watched the first women’s professional boxing matches ever to be staged in Japan on Friday in an atmosphere filled with the enthusiasm that usually accompanies world title fights.

More than 10 TV cameras followed every move by the women who appeared in the 10 fights at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, six months after the Japan Boxing Commission gave the green light to holding women’s professional bouts. Fujin Raika, who claimed world titles in three different classes prior to the JBC’s approval, beat Natalie Brown of the United States by a 2-0 decision in a super lightweight six-rounder—the main bout of the night. Under the JBC’s regulations, women’s fights feature two-minute rounds and female boxers are obliged to wear chest guards.

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