Japan Boxing Commission Implements New Safety Measures

Following the tragic deaths of boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa on August 2 at Korakuen Hall, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced a series of urgent measures to prevent future incidents.

Kotari suffered severe brain injuries and died on August 8 despite emergency surgery. Urakawa, knocked out in the eighth round, also died the following day despite receiving immediate medical attention. These tragedies add to other recent incidents that have shocked Japanese boxing.

In response, the JBC will implement:

• Reduction of rounds in title fights: from 12 to 10 rounds in OPBF and WBO Asia-Pacific bouts held in Japan.
• Fighter hydration control: pre-fight urine tests and penalties if more than 10% of weight is regained between weigh-in and fight.
• Enhanced medical support: ambulances required at all events, connected to hospitals capable of emergency interventions.
• Technological upgrades: replacement of CT scans with MRIs to evaluate injuries before a fighter can return to the ring.
• Safety and retirement protocols: fighters requiring craniotomy due to brain injuries will be automatically retired from professional boxing.
• Review and training: emergency meetings with trainers and associations, a medical seminar in September, and the creation of a joint investigation committee with the Japan Boxing Federation.

These measures aim to prevent tragedies like those of Kotari and Urakawa and ensure the safety of all professional boxers in Japan.