Dual Tragedies Prompt Urgent Action
Japan’s boxing world was shaken when two 28-year-old fighters—Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa—succumbed to fatal brain injuries sustained during separate bouts held on the same event card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2, 2025. Kotari collapsed after a 12-round title match and died six days later following emergency surgery; Urakawa endured a knockout in the eighth round, underwent surgery, and died just one day after Kotari.
Immediate Response: Reducing Fight Duration
In the aftermath, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) immediately decreed that title fights will now be capped at 10 rounds instead of 12, aiming to reduce cumulative trauma fighters may suffer in the ring.
New Safety Measures Introduced
During an emergency meeting, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), the Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA), and gym representatives enacted a suite of safety reforms:
- Pre-bout urine tests to assess dehydration levels—extreme dehydration, often from rapid weight cutting, increases vulnerability to brain bleeding.
- Weight rehydration limits, requiring fighters who regain more than 10% of their bodyweight between weigh-in and fight day to compete in a higher weight class next time.
- Medical readiness, with ambulances on-site for all bouts (not just world titles) and formal agreements with hospitals capable of emergency head injury surgery.
- Enhanced training protocols, including guidelines on when to halt sparring before a fight to guard against cumulative injury.
Acknowledging the Gravity of the Crisis
Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi expressed the collective resolve:
Officials have decided to take all possible measures to ensure that the deaths of these two boxers are not in vain.
JPBA President Shoji Kobayashi echoed the sentiment, highlighting the commitment to moving toward “zero accidents.
Context: A Growing Pattern of Injury
These recent deaths come amid a troubling trend in Japanese boxing. Last year, 23-year-old Kazuki Anaguchi died from a subdural hematoma after a bout. Another fighter, Ginjiro Shigeoka, suffered a similar head injury in May and remains hospitalized. These incidents collectively fueled calls for intensified scrutiny and reform.
Looking Ahead: A Shift Toward Health-First Boxing
With medical committees being established and prevention guidelines set to be updated, Japan’s boxing authorities are signaling a pivotal shift—from tradition-bound toughness to athlete welfare. The goal is clear: preserve lives without compromising the sport’s integrity.
