Explained: How brain injury deaths of two boxers could change landscape of Japanese boxing

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3 days ago

The unfortunate brain injury deaths of Japanese boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa could prompt sweeping rule changes, with the Japan Boxing Commission under pressure to act read more
Japanese boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa's death due to brain injuries has led to an emergency meeting regarding fight protocols. Images: Shigetoshi Kotari on Instagram/World Boxing Org
A massive boxing controversy has broken out in Japan after two fighters lost their lives in separate bouts at the same event. Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, lost their lives recently after fighting on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on 2 August.
Both Kotari and Urakawa suffered brain injuries during their respective fights and died days later following brain surgery. Their deaths were confirmed by the World Boxing Federation on Saturday.
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How Japanese boxers died to due to brain injuries
The unfortunate deaths have sparked a huge furore in the country as fans and media question the safety regulations around boxing matches in Japan. The duration of fights and ringside medical protocols has come under immense scrutiny.
Kotari collapsed after competing in a difficult 12-round tie boxing match against junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata. He underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, which is also known as a brain hemorrhage, but died on Friday. The subdural hematoma is a life-threatening condition where blood collects between the brain's surface and its outer covering, the dura mater.
Urakawa died on Saturday after undergoing a craniotomy following his knockout defeat to eighth and final round loss to Yoji Saito. He had suffered similar brain injuries to Kotari.
As per World Boxing, Kotari's demise was directly linked to the injuries he suffered during the match.
Boxing stakeholders under immense scrutiny in Japan
The recent deaths have shocked the Japanese community, increasing pressure on the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), gym owners and major boxing officials to make changes to the fight and medical protocols. The major stakeholders will be holding an emergency meeting on Tuesday.
'We are acutely aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport,' Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, told reporters on Sunday. 'We will take whatever measures we can.'
As per the Japanese media, the dehydration among boxers caused by their efforts to lose weight before weigh-ins has led to disastrous results.
'Dehydration makes the brain more susceptible to bleeding,' the Asahi Shimbun newspaper said.
This is something that will reportedly be discussed during the meeting. 'They want to hear from gym officials who work closely with the athletes about such items as weight loss methods and pre-bout conditioning, which may be causally related (to fatalities),' the Nikkan Sports newspaper said.
As an immediate measure, the Japan Boxing Commission has reduced Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts to 10 rounds from 12, considering the increase in the aggressive style of fighting.
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But with growing discontent among fans and people of Japan, sweeping changes related to match and medical protocols cannot be ruled out.