Two Japanese boxers have died within days of each other after sustaining brain injuries in separate bouts on the same fight card.
The World Boxing Federation on Saturday confirmed the deaths, which occurred at Tokyo’s iconic Korakuen Hall on August 2.
The deaths have reignited urgent debate over boxing safety regulations in — especially the duration of fights and ringside medical protocols.
What do we know about the boxers’ deaths?
Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a grueling 12-round tie against junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on August 2.
He was rushed into emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, also known as a brain hemorrhage — a life-threatening condition where blood pools between the brain and skull — but died on Friday.
The World Boxing Council confirmed Kotari’s death was directly linked to injuries sustained during the bout.
Just one day later, Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died after suffering the same type of brain injury during a knockout loss to Yoji Saito.
The lightweight fighter was knocked out in the eighth and final round and underwent a craniotomy in a bid to save his life.
Tributes paid to boxing ‘warrior’
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) paid tribute to Kotari on social media.
“The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight,” the statement said.
“A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon.”
Kotari’s gym also released a heartfelt statement on its website:
“He gave everything — fighting through surgery and treatment at a Tokyo hospital after suffering an acute subdural hematoma. He never stopped battling.”
Following Urakawa’s death, the WBO issued a separate message extending its “deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community, during this incredibly difficult time.”
How has Japan’s boxing regulator responded?
Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), told local media on Saturday that it was likely “the first time in Japan two fighters underwent skull-opening surgery for injuries stemming from the same event.”
In response, the JBC announced that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts will now be shortened from 12 rounds to 10.
Urakawa’s death marks the third boxing fatality worldwide from in-ring injuries this year.
Last year, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being hospitalized following his Celtic super-featherweight title defeat to Nathan Howells in Belfast.
He had suffered a severe brain injury during the bout.
Calls for tighter oversight of boxing — both in Japan and internationally — have been gaining momentum following the fatalities.
Advocates are demanding shorter fight durations, mandatory post-fight medical scans, and stricter enforcement of concussion protocols.
Edited by: Karl Sexton
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