(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) has taken swift action to address safety concerns in the sport following the tragic deaths of two fighters in a single event on August 2 at Korakuen Hall, Tokyo.
On August 8, Shigetoshi Kotari passed away, followed by Hiromasa Urakawa on August 9. Both fighters suffered severe brain injuries during their recent bouts. Urakawa underwent emergency surgery after an eighth-round stoppage, while Kotari, who fought to a 12-round draw for the Oriental Pacific junior lightweight title, also required emergency craniotomy.
The JBC leadership, including Chairman Hagiwara Minoru and General Secretary Yasukawa Tsuyoshi, held a press conference to address the tragedy. Hagiwara expressed commitment to quickly investigating the causes and implementing preventive measures. Yasukawa emphasized the seriousness of the situation and the collective responsibility to reduce risks in boxing.
In response, the JBC has already shortened OPBF title fights from 12 to 10 rounds and extended this change to WBO Asia Pacific championship matches in Japan. However, recognizing that even shorter bouts can carry risks—as Urakawa’s was an eight-round fight—further safety improvements are being explored.
Yasukawa noted the increasing pace and intensity of modern bouts, highlighting the dangers posed by extended rounds. He also pointed to the critical need for better weight management and pre-fight conditioning protocols to protect fighters’ health.
This tragic week adds to a series of recent boxing-related injuries in Japan, including the death of Kazuki Anaguchi in late 2023 and the ongoing coma of Ginjiro Shigeoka after a May 2025 title bout.
The Japan Boxing Commission and Japan Professional Boxing Association plan an emergency meeting to discuss further safety reforms. Additionally, a dedicated investigation committee is being formed to review the August 2 event, and a medical seminar focused on fighter safety is scheduled for September.
The JBC is prioritizing fighter welfare and aims to introduce new regulations to make boxing safer for all athletes.
