Japan's boxing authorities have announced stricter safety measures following the deaths of two boxers who suffered brain injuries after competing in the same event earlier this month. The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) said the changes would include pre-bout urine tests, tougher rules on rapid weight loss, and improved ringside medical services.
Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, and Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died from brain injuries days after fighting on the same card at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on 2 August. Kotari collapsed and later died after emergency brain surgery to treat a subdural haematoma following a 12-round OPBF title fight. Urakawa died at the weekend from brain injuries sustained in his bout.
Concern is growing over the impact of rapid dehydration, which fighters use to 'make weight', and which experts say makes the brain more susceptible to bleeding. The JBC, gym owners and other officials met on Tuesday to vote on emergency measures, including urine tests to determine if a boxer is adequately hydrated and stricter rules on rapid weight loss.
Fighters who regain more than 10% of their bodyweight between the weigh-in and the day of the bout will be forced to move up a weight class before their next contest. Ambulances will also be positioned on site and paired with hospitals able to perform emergency surgery for head injuries. Currently, ambulances are only required at world-title fights.
Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary general of the JBC, said: 'Officials have decided to take all possible measures to ensure that the deaths of these two boxers are not in vain.' Shoji Kobayashi, president of the Japanese Pro Boxing Association, said new rules would also be introduced on how long before a fight a boxer must stop sparring.
The deaths have added to pressure on Japanese boxing authorities to better protect fighters after high-profile incidents in the past two years, including the death of bantamweight Kazuki Anaguchi in early 2024 and the retirement of Ginjiro Shigeoka after emergency brain surgery in May.
