World heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman has begun training in earnest for his 1 September title bout against Puerte Rice's Joe "King" Roman. Foreman arrived in Japan on Wednesday (15 August) and was to have started training the following day. However, he lest a day because of a sore threat.

The delay seemed to make little difference to Foreman's style. At training on Friday, he impressed the Japanese sports writers with his fitness and strength. On the other hand, they hand, they were more sceptical about his footwork. Back at the punchbag he was impressive again, with a series of rapid hooks and heavy rights.

Foreman has his own sparring partners with him -- ninth-ranked light-heavyweight Len Hutchins, from Michigan, U.S.A., and Jamaican heavyweight, Standford Harris. More than 50 newsmen turned out for the first training session.

Challenger Jee Roman arrive din Tokyo later in the day.