Tragedy Strikes Tokyo Boxing Event as Two Fighters Die from Brain Injuries

Two Japanese boxers have died after sustaining brain injuries in separate bouts on the same fight card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, in what officials say is an unprecedented tragedy in the country’s boxing history.

Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a gruelling 12-round Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super-featherweight title bout against Yamato Hata on August 2, which ended in a split draw. He was diagnosed with an acute subdural hematoma and underwent emergency brain surgery but died on August 8.

Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, fought on the same card in a lightweight contest against Yoji Saito. He was knocked out in the eighth round and suffered a severe brain injury. Urakawa underwent a craniotomy but died the following day, August 9.

The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) confirmed it was the first time in the sport’s history in Japan that two fighters required skull-opening surgery due to injuries sustained at the same event. In response, the JBC announced that all OPBF title fights will now be limited to 10 rounds instead of 12 to reduce the risk of similar incidents.

The World Boxing Organization and other governing bodies have expressed condolences to the fighters’ families and called for enhanced safety measures in the sport. The deaths of Kotari and Urakawa come amid renewed global debate about the dangers of boxing, following other recent fatalities in the ring.