C K Wu, President of the International Boxing Association (AIBA), told insidethegames during SportAccord here that Japan was one of at least five countries making applications to join the competition, whose inaugural season finishes next month.

Other prospective applicants came from Germany, India, Dubai and Qatar.

He emphasised that he had spoken to the Japanese interests since the earthquake hit last month.

Speaking to insidethegames less than a week after it emerged that IMG, the international sports and entertainment giant, would withdraw from WSB after its inaugural season, Wu insisted that the competition had been a success.

He put the overall worldwide television audience at more than 50 million, while adding that live audiences had been particularly good in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Milan and Los Angeles.

Wu acknowledged that the cost of starting the competition from scratch meant that the initial season would produce a loss – estimated provisionally at not more than $4-$5 million.

However, this was in line with plans.

Ho Kim, WSB chief executive, told insidethegames last November that the competition, which offers qualification for the London 2012 Olympics, was likely to break even in its second season and start making a profit in the third.

Having agreed to transfer back IMG's 25 percent stake in the venture, AIBA is considering whether to replace IMG as exclusive sales agent on sponsorship and TV distribution.

Wu said that KazStroyService (KSS) of Kazakhstan wanted to continue as the WSB's presenting sponsor, but that others were also showing interest.

He also emphasised the WSB's safety record, saying that in 360 bouts there had been only five knockouts and no serious injury.

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