Hiromasa Urakawa: Second Japanese boxer dies from brain injury after Tokyo event – BBC

Report on Boxer Fatalities in Tokyo: An Analysis of Health and Safety in Professional Sports in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

This report details the recent deaths of two professional boxers, Hiromasa Urakawa and Shigetoshi Kotari, following injuries sustained during a boxing event in Tokyo on August 2, 2025. The incidents highlight critical deficiencies in athlete safety, directly challenging the principles of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The response from the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) indicates initial steps towards strengthening institutional governance (SDG 16) and ensuring safer working conditions for athletes (SDG 8).

2.0 Incident Details

A professional boxing event held at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo resulted in two separate fatalities, both stemming from traumatic brain injuries.

• Victim 1: Hiromasa Urakawa, aged 28, died on August 10, 2025. The fatality occurred following a knockout loss in the eighth round of his bout.
• Victim 2: Shigetoshi Kotari died on August 9, 2025, from injuries sustained in a separate fight on the same event card.

A third high-profile fatality in the sport during 2025, that of Irish boxer John Cooney, underscores that this is a global issue requiring a coordinated response aligned with universal health and safety standards.

3.0 Medical Findings and Alignment with SDG 3

The primary cause of death for both athletes was identified as a subdural haematoma, a severe form of traumatic brain injury. This outcome represents a fundamental failure to uphold SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

• The incidents contravene Target 3.4, which seeks to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases, including preventable injuries.
• Protecting athlete health is a core responsibility of sports organizations, and these fatalities demonstrate a critical gap in preventative measures and ringside medical protocols.

4.0 Institutional Response and Regulatory Reform

In response to the tragedies, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) has initiated several measures. These actions are a crucial step towards building stronger institutions, a key objective of SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

1. Investigation: The JBC has launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths.
2. Regulatory Change: All Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts under its jurisdiction will be reduced from 12 to 10 rounds to mitigate cumulative damage.
3. Strategic Review: A meeting is scheduled for September 2025 to conduct a comprehensive review of safety protocols and discuss further reforms.

The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) also issued a statement of condolence, highlighting the need for community-wide reflection on athlete safety.

5.0 Implications for SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Professional sports must be recognized as a form of employment where athletes are entitled to safe working conditions. These fatalities bring into focus SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, specifically Target 8.8, which calls for the protection of labour rights and the promotion of safe and secure working environments for all workers.

• The deaths serve as a stark reminder that athletes are workers whose occupational health and safety must be prioritized.
• Strengthening regulations is essential not only for athlete well-being but also for the long-term sustainability and integrity of the sport as a viable profession.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  This goal aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. The article directly connects to this SDG by highlighting the deaths of three young boxers (Hiromasa Urakawa, Shigetoshi Kotari, and John Cooney) from severe brain injuries sustained during professional fights. The discussion revolves around a critical health and safety issue within a specific occupation, focusing on preventing premature death and injury, which is a core component of SDG 3.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under SDG 3 can be identified:

1. Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

   Although a traumatic brain injury is not a non-communicable disease in the traditional sense (like cancer or diabetes), the deaths of the boxers, both aged 28, represent a clear case of “premature mortality.” The article discusses a direct response aimed at prevention: the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced that “all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of 12.” This rule change is a preventative measure intended to reduce the cumulative damage that can lead to such fatal injuries.

2. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.

   The events described in the article have triggered a response to manage a specific health risk associated with boxing. The article states that the “JBC has launched an investigation and is planning to hold a meeting in September to discuss the deaths.” This action demonstrates an effort to strengthen the capacity for risk reduction and management within the sport’s governing body in Japan, directly aligning with the objective of Target 3.d.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 3.4: Mortality rate from specific preventable causes.

  The article provides a direct, albeit informal, indicator: the number of deaths among boxers due to fight-related injuries. It explicitly states that Hiromasa Urakawa is the “third high-profile boxer to die in 2025,” following Shigetoshi Kotari and John Cooney. Tracking this number over time would measure progress in reducing premature mortality in the sport. The article also specifies the cause of death as “subdural haematoma” and “intracranial haemorrhage,” which could serve as specific health outcome indicators.

• Indicator for Target 3.d: Implementation of risk reduction policies and procedures.

  The article points to two clear indicators of progress in managing health risks:

  1. The adoption of new safety regulations: The decision that “all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of 12” is a tangible policy change that can be monitored.
  2. The establishment of investigative and review processes: The fact that the “JBC has launched an investigation and is planning to hold a meeting” indicates the implementation of procedures to analyze and respond to health crises.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: bbc.com