US EditionJapan Boxing to Adopt Stricter Safety Rules After Deaths of Two Fighters
Japan enacts rapid safety reforms including mandatory ambulances, hydration tests, and advanced brain scans after two boxers died from injuries linked to dehydration and rapid weight loss.
- Following the deaths of two 28-year-old fighters, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, who passed away several days after undergoing surgery for head injuries incurred during different matches on August 2 at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, Japanese boxing officials convened an emergency meeting on August 12.
- The deaths, described by JPBA president Shoji Kobayashi as "really regrettable," prompted the adoption of urgent safety reforms including urine hydration tests, stricter rules on rapid weight loss, and improved medical coverage.
- Officials announced four major initiatives: ambulances at all professional boxing events, expanding hospital partnerships for immediate surgery, reducing OPBF title bouts to 10 rounds, and establishing Japan’s first joint pro-amateur boxing medical committee.
- JBC secretary-general Tsuyoshi Yasukochi said the measures will be implemented as soon as possible, while former champion Toshiharu Kayama acknowledged the incident may spark calls to halt boxing but emphasized a desire to change how the sport is contested.
- These reforms represent a fundamental shift toward zero accidents, combining medical monitoring, emergency response, and organizational cooperation to honor the fighters and improve boxer safety nationwide.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Radio France Internationale
Japan boxing to adopt stricter safety rules after deaths of two fighters
Two 28-year-old boxers who participated in the same event in Tokyo succumbed to brain injuries shortly after each other. The Japanese Boxing Association now feels compelled to intervene.
It was decided to introduce urine tests to measure dehydration and stricter rules regarding the rapid weight loss of boxers.
An evening that should have gone unnoticed is in the attention of the international press. The deaths of boxers attract more interest than that of other sportsmen in modalities where there are statistics of deaths are higher. Shigetosi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa died with few hours of difference after boxing in Tokyo on August 2. These two deaths add to the injuries suffered by several Japanese pugils in recent months. The country of the rising…
Japan boxing adopts stricter ruling following 2 Tokyo deaths
Japanese boxing officials to implement stricter rules following the deaths of two boxers On August 2nd a double tragedy hit the boxing world after two boxers died at the same event in different fights. Shigetoshi Kotari, a featherweight boxer fought to a 12 round draw against Oriental and Pacific junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata. Not […]
Japan Boxing to reform in wake of deaths, with one boxer still fighting
World Boxing News can report that Japan’s top boxing authorities have unveiled immediate safety reform plans after two fighters died following bouts on the same card earlier this month. The Japan Professional Boxing Association (JPBA), made up of gym presidents, and its governing body, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), convened an emergency accident prevention committee…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
