Japanese boxing authorities to convene an emergency assembly in response to recent fatalities
In the wake of the tragic deaths of two boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari (super featherweight) and Hiromasa Urakawa (lightweight), both 28 years old, following a boxing event at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on August 2, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) has announced a series of stricter safety measures and proposed changes.
These measures, aimed at preventing similar tragedies, include limiting Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) and WBO Asia Pacific title fights in Japan to 10 rounds instead of 12, to reduce the physical toll on fighters and lower injury risk. The JBC is also introducing mandatory urine tests to assess dehydration levels before fights, addressing concerns that rapid weight cutting and dehydration may increase vulnerability to brain bleeding (subdural haematoma).
Stricter rules on rapid weight loss and weight cutting are being implemented to prevent dangerous dehydration. Ambulances will be present at all boxing bouts, and hospitals near venues will be prepared to perform emergency surgery for head and other injuries.
An emergency meeting involving gym leaders, coaches, medical experts, Japan's boxing commissions, and amateur boxing federations will be held to discuss further safety precautions and update prevention guidance. The JBC is also committing to a formal investigation into the circumstances of the two boxers' deaths, with the goal of learning and implementing effective safety reforms to protect athletes moving forward.
The JBC is concerned about the potential link between weight loss methods, pre-bout conditioning, and fatalities in boxing. They want to hear from gym officials about these matters, and they are planning to discuss the issue of fighters dehydrating to lose weight rapidly before weigh-ins with trainers.
Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, stated, "We are aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport. Japanese boxing today has more and more boxers who are able to start exchanges of fierce blows from the first round. 12 rounds can be dangerous due to the offensive power of Japanese boxing."
In an immediate measure, the commission has decided to reduce all OPBF title bouts to 10 rounds from 12. The JBC, gym owners, and other boxing officials are under pressure to act, with the tragic deaths prompting urgent action to prioritise boxer safety, especially in light of three boxing-related deaths in Japan within two years, including one in 2024.
Dehydration makes the brain more susceptible to bleeding, according to the Asahi Shimbun newspaper. The reduction of OPBF title bouts from 12 to 10 rounds is a response to the JBC's concerns about the safety of boxers. The JBC expects to have talks about safety next month.
[1] Nikkan Sports newspaper report [2] Asahi Shimbun newspaper report [3] World Boxing Association statement [4] JBC statement [5] Medical research findings on dehydration and brain injury risk in boxing
- The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) is implementing stricter rules on rapid weight loss and weight cutting, as they believe there's a potential link between these practices, pre-bout conditioning, and fatalities in boxing.
- In response to concerns about dehydration and its impact on brain injury risk in boxing, the JBC has decided to reduce Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title fights in Japan from 12 rounds to 10 rounds.
