The Japan Boxing Commission has promised to investigate the deaths of two fighters on the same card on Aug. 2 in Tokyo.
Chairman Hagiwara Minoru and Secretary General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi arranged a news conference today in Tokyo to address the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari on Friday and Hiromasa Urakawa the following day.
Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation 130-pound titleholder Yamato Hata, who delivered the blows that killed Kotari in a 12-round draw, also reportedly has been hospitalized after one the most tragic days in boxing history.
“We will begin work on anything we can immediately, including investigating and clarifying the cause and taking measures going forward,” Hagiwara said at the news conference. “We would like to move forward as quickly as possible.”
Said Yasukochi: “We are once again reminded of the grief of the families and those involved, and the seriousness of this matter. How can we eliminate the risks inherent in sport? What happened this time is serious.
“We have received requests not only from our colleagues, but from both inside and outside the country, saying that if there is anything we can do, we will do it. We would like to work together with everyone to prevent a recurrence.”
The commission has already taken action. It announced that OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific title fights in Japan will be reduced from 12 to 10 rounds.
The JBC and Japan Professional Boxing Associate reportedly are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to consider more possible steps to protect boxers in the wake of the horrible events of Aug. 2. Also, a medical seminar is set for early next month.
Kotari, 28, collapsed after his fight with Hata. He had emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma – a collection of blood on the brain – but didn’t survive. Urakawa, also 28, suffered the same injury in an eighth-round knockout loss to Yoji Saito. He died after undergoing a craniotomy.
Yasukochi said officials will examine the impact of weight loss and other factors that might contribute to such injuries.
“Weight loss, which was likely a major factor, and pre-match conditioning are only being looked at from an administrative perspective,” he said. “I would like to hear the opinions of those involved in the association who have been working closely with the athletes for a long time.”
Yasukochi added that he wants to see penalties bolstered for boxers who violate weight-gain limits after the official weigh-in.
“There are no penalties yet,” he said. “I would like to work with the association so that rules can be made more binding in the future.”
The WBO offered condolences on social media after the deaths of both boxers.
“Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari. 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.”
A day later: “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.
“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.”
The deaths of Kotari and Urakawa follow another death and a life-threatening injury within the past two years in Japan.
Kazuki Anaguchi, 23, died about a month after losing a 10-round decision to Seiya Tsutsumi on Dec. 26 in Tokyo. And Ginjiro Shigeoka remains in a coma after he suffered a brain injury in a 12-round decision loss against Pedro Taduran for an IBF title on May 24 in Osaka.
AloJapan.com