Japanese boxing returns to streaming on U-NEXT on Saturday, October 4, for the first time since the sport was plunged into mourning by the tragic deaths of fighters Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa on the same card earlier this year.
The last broadcast from Tokyo by Dynamic Glove ended in disaster and drew heavy criticism for their ‘lost in translation’ tributes in the aftermath.
A Double Tragedy That Stopped the Boxing World
The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) has since come under heavy scrutiny for its medical procedures, corner inspections, and post-fight monitoring. Promoters, broadcasters, and even the Tokyo venue were subjected to intense questioning.
The fallout forced the JBC to temporarily suspend live televised events until new safety guarantees were in place.
Now, a couple of months on from the August 2 show, Dynamic Glove returns with a new program, in conjunction with promoter Akihiko Honda and his Teiken Promotions stable.
October 4: Korakuen Hall Card Details
While the focus is on safety, the card features significant domestic title bouts and rising contenders, including a vacant title clash.
The full lineup at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo is as follows:
Flyweight – Main Event
Shokichi Iwata (14-2-0, #10) vs Edwin Cano Hernandez (13-3-1, #16)
Super Welterweight Contest
Ryota Toyoshima (21-3-1, #39) vs Rikuto Adachi (19-4-1, #390)
Vacant Japan Super Welterweight Title Fight
Takara Kawaguchi (10-0-1, #74) vs Reito Takahashi (4-0-0, #129)
Lightweight Bout
Hyoga Miyata (4-1-0, #282) vs Gaito Sakakino (3-1-1, #228)
Light Flyweight Bout
Retsu Terashita (8-1-0, #37) vs Hyuga Oki (3-0-1, #35)
All Eyes are on the Japan Boxing Commission
The JBC has promised sweeping changes, including mandatory ambulance standby, stricter ringside physician duties, and extended medical suspensions.
Despite the pledges, many inside Japanese boxing remain skeptical. The question of whether the JBC has addressed structural failings or whether officials are simply hoping to move past the scandal remains.
This entire scenario makes the October 4 show more than a regular domestic card. It is a litmus test for safety, accountability, and credibility in a country that has already paid the ultimate price.
The Stakes Beyond the Ring
Japan has long been a pillar of world boxing, producing champions such as Naoya Inoue, Kosei Tanaka, and Shinsuke Yamanaka. The double fatality has left a lasting scar, with many fans openly questioning whether the JBC and promoters are doing enough to protect fighters.
Should anything go wrong on October 4, the consequences could be devastating — not only for the JBC but for the future of streamed boxing in Japan.
This broadcast is no ordinary return to streaming behind a paywall. The October 4 card will be judged as much on its safety standards as on the performances inside the ropes.
The Japan Boxing Commission, Teiken Promotions, and their broadcaster partners will be under scrutiny. The world is watching, and failure is not an option.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.