Following the tragic deaths of two boxers, the Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA), the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), and gym owners held an emergency meeting on Tuesday and agreed to implement stricter safety protocols.
The meeting was convened in response to the deaths of 28-year-old super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, who both passed away after undergoing brain surgery for injuries sustained during separate fights at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.
While the exact causes are still under investigation, the World Boxing Association has suggested that rapid weight loss and resulting dehydration may increase the risk of brain hemorrhage.
JPBA President Shoji Kobayashi described the deaths as “deeply regrettable” and emphasized the goal of achieving “zero accidents” in the sport.
According to JBC Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, new rules will include mandatory urine tests to detect dehydration and tighter restrictions on extreme weight-cutting practices, with implementation set to begin immediately.
