The Japan Professional Boxing Association (JPBA) and the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) held an emergency meeting on Tuesday following the tragic deaths of Hiromasa Urakawa and Shigetoshi Kotari at the same event this month.
Japanese boxing officials have announced stricter weight-cutting regulations and mandatory urine tests following the fatalities of two boxers at the same event earlier this month.
Hiromasa Urakawa and Shigetoshi Kotari died in separate encounters on August 2 in Tokyo.
Both athletes underwent surgery to remove a subdural hematoma, a condition in which blood accumulates between the skull and brain.
The exact cause of death for both boxers has not yet been established, however, according to the World Boxing Association, dehydration caused by sudden weight loss is considered a factor that increases the risk of cerebral hemorrhages.
The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) said all the Eastern and Pacific Boxing Federations (OPBFs) have already announced that title fights will be held over 10 rounds instead of 12.
They also voted to introduce urine tests to assess levels of dehydration, as well as the need for ambulances to be present at all competitions and for medical facilities to be prepared for emergency operations for head injuries and other injuries.
Pictured: Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, Secretary General of the Japan Boxing Commission.
“Officials have decided to take all necessary measures to ensure that the deaths of these two boxers will not be in vain,” said Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary general of the Japan Boxing Commission.
Yasukochi also said an investigation into the causes of the boxers' deaths would take place later this month and recommendations for preventive measures would be updated.
In addition, a meeting on safety issues will be held with the participation of doctors from the Japanese boxing commissions and amateur boxing federations.
Sourse: skysports.com
