Latest news with #JapaneseBoxingCommission
The Star
9 hours ago
- Health
- The Star
Japan boxing to adopt stricter safety rules after deaths of two fighters
Japanese Boxing Commission announces urgent safety reforms after deaths of Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa. TOKYO: Japanese boxing officials said on Tuesday (Aug 12) they would introduce urine tests, stricter rules on weight loss to prevent dehydration and improve medical cover at bouts following the deaths of two fighters. The new measures were adopted during an emergency meeting of the Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA), the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) and gym owners on Tuesday. It was convened after super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died days after brain surgery on injuries they sustained in separate bouts at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on Aug 2. The exact cause of the boxers' deaths is to be determined, but dehydration caused by cutting weight rapidly is regarded as a factor in making the brain more susceptible to bleeding, according to the World Boxing Association. The deaths were "really regrettable," said JPBA president Shoji Kobayashi. "We gathered today to establish a plan towards zero accidents." New measures to be implemented as soon as possible include urine tests for measuring dehydration and stricter rules on boxers' rapid weight loss, said Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC. Ambulances will also be required on site, even for non-world championship bouts. They will partner with hospitals that are equipped to perform emergency surgery for head and other injuries. There will also be new rules on how long before a fight sparring must be stopped during training, he said. Officials decided "to take all measures possible so we do not let the deaths of the two be in vain," Yasukochi added. Kotari collapsed and later died after going 12 rounds in an Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fight. The JBC had already announced all future OPBF title bouts would be reduced to 10 rounds. "That such an incident occurred involving top-level boxers means we may face arguments that boxing should be halted," admitted Toshiharu Kayama, former Japan welterweight champion and president of the boxing gym Ebisu K's Box. "We, the association and gyms, want to think and change" the way the sport is contested, Kayama said. An accident investigation committee will work to find out the cause of the boxers' deaths later this month and guidance on prevention measures will be updated, Yasukochi said. The JBC and JPBA will also hold a safety meeting later this month, which will include the organisations' doctors as well as the amateur boxing federation, he added. - AFP
Indian Express
a day ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Another Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa dies after injuries suffered in fight, second such death in last week in Japan
A day after Japanese boxer 28-year-old Shigetoshi Kotari died last Friday from injuries sustained during his bout with Yamato Hata on August 2, another Japanese boxer 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died on Saturday post injuries sustained during his featherweight eighth round loss via knockout against Yogi Saito in the same card as of Kotari at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on August 2. Both Kotari and Urakawa had undergone surgery for subdural haematoma-a condition where blood collects between the skull and brain due to an impact. With Urakawa becoming the second Japanese boxer to die within days, the Japanese Boxing Commission will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday with the commission having announced its decision to hold all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts for ten rounds instead of 12 post Kotari's death on Friday. Urakawa's death is also the third such instance this year after Irishman John Conley had died in February following his fight against Nathan Howells of Welsh. Conney died after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage, a condition where bleeding happens in the skull. 'World Boxing Council mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito. This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' World Boxing Council said in a statement. While Katori had died after a draw against Hata after 12 rounds, Urakawa died post his eighth-round loss against Saito on August 2. Both boxers had undergone a craniotomy, a process of removing a part of the skull, but died within a day of each other's passing. While Kotari had contested in 12 bouts including eight wins, two losses and two draws with five knockout wins, Urakawa had fought 14 times as professional boxer with ten wins and four losses including seven knockout wins in his brief professional career. 'We are acutely aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport. We will take whatever measures we can,' Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, told Japanese media on Sunday. While JBC announced an investigation and planned to hold a meeting in September earlier last week, the common officials will have the emergency meeting on Tuesday. On the decision to make the professional bouts of ten rounds instead of 12 rounds, Yasukochi had termed 12 rounds as dangerous in the present scenario. 'The offensive power of Japanese boxing today is tremendous. We have more and more boxers who are able to start exchanges of fierce blows from the first round. Maybe 12 rounds can be dangerous,' Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbum reported.
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Second boxer dies from brain injuries after Tokyo event
Hiromasa Urakawa has become the second boxer to die from brain injuries sustained at the same event in Tokyo. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) announced the death of Japanese boxer Urakawa at the age of 28 on Sunday following a bout with Yoji Saito on 2 August. It occurred days after Shigetoshi Kotari, who fought out a draw with Yamato Hata on the same card in Tokyo, died due to injuries to his brain. "The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on 2 August at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo," a WBO statement read. "This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time." Lightweight Urakawa fought 14 times as a professional (10-4, 7KOs), while Tokyo featherweight Kotari contested 12 bouts (8-2-2, 5KOs). The Japanese Boxing Commission has since announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
Irish Independent
2 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Second boxer dies at the same event as commission confirms a significant rule change
The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) announced the death of Japanese boxer Urakawa at the age of 28 on Sunday following a bout with Yoji Saito on August 2. It occurred days after Shigetoshi Kotari, who fought out a draw with Yamato Hata on the same card in Tokyo, died due to injuries to his brain. 'The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo,' a WBO statement read. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' Lightweight Urakawa fought 14 times as a professional (10-4, 7KOs), while Tokyo featherweight Kotari contested 12 bouts (8-2-2, 5KOs). The Japanese Boxing Commission has since announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
Daily Mail
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Aussie boxer George Kambosos leads tributes for TWO fighters who died on same card from brain injuries
The boxing world is in a state of shock and mourning after the death of Japanese boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, who died following brain injuries sustained on the same card. Urakawa was hospitalised and underwent surgery after suffering a brain injury during an eighth-round defeat by Yoji Saito on August 2. A craniotomy was performed following Urakawa's knockout. However, Ring Magazine have reported that the 28-year-old sadly passed away. His death comes just a day after his fellow boxer Kotari, who had also featured on the card, succumbed to his injuries in hospital. Following the event, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced an immediate rule change. All Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of 12. The WBO confirmed Kotari's death on Friday, six days after he fought Yamato Hata. Tributes from the boxing world have flooded in, with former champ George Kambosos initially posting a response to Kotari's death, writing: 'RIP champion. Respect the real fighters always that put it all on the line. Sad news 28 years of age.' After hearing about Urakawa's death, he posted: 'Another one on the same card! This is so sad. RIP to both of them. Condolences to their family. Fallen warriors.' Former Irish boxer Gary O'Sullivan described the shocking news as 'absolutely heartbreaking'. The WBO also paid tribute to Kotari after his passing was confirmed. 'Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,' they wrote on social media. 'The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. A warrior in the ring. 'A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.' The WBC posted a tribute to Kotari after the news of his death was made public. 'Kotari, 28, lost consciousness after the 12-round bout for Yamato Hata's OPBF super featherweight title. He was rushed to a hospital for emergency brain surgery, suffering a subdural hematoma, which is another term for a brain hemorrhage. 'Kotari, from Nagoya, had won two consecutive eight-round fights by unanimous decision to earn this title shot. 'The WBC and its president, Mauricio Sulaimán, deeply mourn this irreparable loss and wish his family and friends strength during this difficult time. Rest in Peace…' Urakawa has become the third boxer to die of injuries suffered in the ring over the past year, after Kotari and Irish fighter John Cooney, who passed away after his bout in February. Cooney, 28, sustained an intracranial haemorrhage while fighting Nathan Howells.
