Japan imposes strict health rules after the deaths of two boxers

It was decided to introduce urine tests to measure dehydration and stricter rules regarding rapid weight loss for boxers.

Japanese boxing federations announced Tuesday, August 12, that they were implementing stricter rules following the deaths of two fighters . The Japan Professional Boxing Association, the Japan Boxing Commission, and gym owners have decided to introduce urine tests to measure dehydration while tightening surveillance on rapid weight loss among boxers, said Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary general of the commission.

Super featherweight boxer Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died days after separate fights at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on August 2. Both men had undergone brain surgery following injuries.

While the exact cause of death remains to be determined, the World Boxing Association points out that dehydration caused by rapid weight loss is a contributing factor in making the brain more vulnerable to hemorrhage. Officials have decided "to take all possible measures to ensure that the deaths of these two boxers are not in vain," Tsuyoshi Yasukochi said.