In a tragic turn of events, the boxing community is mourning the loss of two Japanese athletes who succumbed to injuries sustained during separate matches at an Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation event in Tokyo on August 2.
Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa both passed away within a day of each other, highlighting the inherent risks associated with the sport.
Kotari, aged 28, collapsed shortly after a grueling 12-round draw against Yamato Hata, the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion. "Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata," according to CBS News.
He was rushed for emergency brain surgery to address a subdural hematoma but tragically died on Friday. The World Boxing Organization honored him with a tribute on the social media platform X.
Urakawa faced a similar fate after being knocked out by Yoji Daito, suffering the same type of injury. Despite undergoing a craniotomy, he passed away on Saturday. The World Boxing Organization also paid tribute to Daito on X. As reported by Western Journal, these incidents have prompted the Japanese Boxing Commission to announce a reduction in the number of rounds for future OPBF fights from 12 to 10.
The commission, under pressure to implement further safety measures, is set to hold an emergency meeting to address these concerns. "We are acutely aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport," JBC Secretary General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi stated, emphasizing their commitment to taking necessary actions.
The deaths of Kotari and Urakawa are not isolated incidents in the boxing world. Earlier this year, Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju died after collapsing during a match in Ghana. "Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju, a professional boxer from Nigeria, died suddenly over the weekend after he collapsed in the third round of a light-heavyweight fight in Ghana," the New York Post reported.
Similarly, Irish boxer John Cooney succumbed to an intracranial hemorrhage following a fight in Belfast, as reported by CBS.
These recent tragedies underscore the ongoing debate about safety in boxing. A "Manuel Velazquez" poll cited by CNN in 2019 revealed that an average of 13 boxers die annually due to fight-related injuries. This statistic serves as a stark reminder of the sport's dangers and the urgent need for enhanced safety protocols.
The boxing community, while celebrating the courage and dedication of its athletes, must grapple with the sobering reality of these risks. As the Japanese Boxing Commission and other governing bodies deliberate on potential reforms, the focus remains on safeguarding the well-being of fighters while preserving the integrity of the sport.
Login