Tokyo: Japan boxing safety measures have been reinforced after the deaths of super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, who sustained fatal brain injuries in separate bouts on the same card at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on August 2.
The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) has confirmed that pre-bout urine tests will be introduced to check hydration levels, along with stricter rules on rapid weight loss. Fighters who regain more than 10 percent of their bodyweight between the weigh-in and fight day will be moved up a weight class for future contests, public broadcaster NHK has reported.
Kotari, collapsed after his 12-round Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bout with Yamato Hata and later died following emergency brain surgery for a subdural haematoma. Urakawa, also died the same week after suffering similar injuries during a fight against Yoji Saito. Both were experienced professionals with more than a dozen bouts each.
The new safety measures also require ambulances to be stationed at all events, with hospitals equipped for emergency neurosurgery placed on standby. Previously, this was only mandatory for world-title bouts. Officials have additionally agreed to limit sparring before fights to reduce risk.
The deaths have reignited debate over boxing’s safety in Japan, following previous fatalities including bantamweight Kazuki Anaguchi in 2024 and other severe injuries in 2025. JBC secretary general Tsuyoshi Yasukochi said that all possible measures will be taken to ensure such tragedies are not repeated.
Medical experts and former champions have urged continued monitoring of the new rules effectiveness, stressing that education on safe training practices is as important as regulation. While acknowledging the inherent risks of boxing, many in Japan’s fight community hope these measures will set a precedent for stricter safety standards across the sport worldwide.
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