Japanese boxing is in the face of unprecedented control, because Yamato Hata remains in a coma eight days after August 2 “Korakuene Hall disaster” – an event that has already consumed the life of Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromas Urakava.

If the hata does not recover, for the first time in the contemporary boxing history of three warriors died of injuries on the same card.

Two deaths, one critical struggle for survival

The chain of the tragedy began when the 28 -year -old claimant fell to the featherweight after his fight and never regained consciousness. He died six days later because of the brain hematoma. A few hours earlier, Urakawa, who fought in a separate fight, suffered a similar fate and died the next day.

Now Kotari’s opponent, Yamato Hata, is fighting for his life with the same type of brain.

The shocking reality shook sport into its core in Japan, arousing fears that the event of August 2 could fall as the worst single -ronic catastrophe in a up-to-date boxing show.

Boxing security crisis in Japan

This security crisis is not an isolated accident. At the end of 2023, both Kazuki Anaguchi and Kanam Sakama died after the fight with the same Nayy Inoue card. Recently, Gin Shigeoka spent time hospitalized with severe head injury.

Fans and outsiders say that in recent years the frequency of fatal or critical injuries of Japan is “worse than anywhere else.”

“Something needs to be done with JBC health standards. From Anaguchi to Shigeok, and now Kotari is definitely too much,” said one observer from Uraka’s death.

JBC action – too little, too tardy?

Japan boxing Commission (JBC) temporarily reduced the regional OPBF fights from 12 to 10 rounds, citing concerns about the cumulative head injury. But critics rejected this as a reactionary movement that does not solve system problems in the field of fighters’ safety, medical readiness and monitoring after fluff.

JBC is under huge pressure to convene an emergency session and implement wide reforms. He calls for independent medical supervision, more severe neurological tests before fighting and improved protocols in the ring are becoming louder overnight.

Mile stone appears a grim milestone

For now, the state of Yamato Hata remains unchanged, his struggle for survival symbolizes the urgency of the reform in Japanese boxing.

If this situation ends with the third mortality, on August 2, which the sport will remember forever, when the night reaches the darkest hour in up-to-date memory, he will take even more shocking turn.

World Boxing News really hopes Hata is going through.

About the author

Phil Jay is an experienced boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. How The editor -in -chief of World Boxing News since 2010Jay has An interview with dozens of world champions was conducted AND Ring reported On the largest boxing nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] And find out more about his work in combat sports journalism.