Mother of two becomes Japan's oldest boxer at 44

[James Joyce]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080229/od_nm/japan_mum_dc;_ylt=AgE8_nd28_0zVbKkGI225X4SH9EA

TOKYO (Reuters) - A 44-year-old mother of two has become Japan's oldest professional boxer after passing the Japanese board's license test.

Kazumi Izaki, who has daughters aged 21 and 14 and herself turns 45 next week, laced up her first pair of boxing gloves in 2001.

"She has passed," the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) told Reuters Friday.

"This is first time she has held a JBC license and she is now Japan's oldest pro boxer."

Under JBC rules, applicants for a license must be under 32 but Izaki was allowed permission to fight because she previously won a Japanese title, albeit one not recognized by the country's governing body.

Hiroaki Yokota had held the distinction of being Japan's oldest professional boxer but the 46-year-old declined to renew his license.

"I try not to think about my age," the former aerobics instructor told reporters.

"I'm a mum but I'm going to give it everything I've got.

"I wanted to show my children that if you give up, then you're washed up!"