Two boxers from Japan succumb to brain injuries during the same boxing event
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In a tragic turn of events, the Japanese boxing community is mourning the loss of two of its promising young boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, who died in early August 2025 from brain injuries sustained during fights on the same event card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall.
Kotari, aged 28, collapsed after a 12-round match and died following a subdural hematoma. Urakawa, 28 years old as well, was knocked out in the eighth round and underwent a craniotomy but succumbed to his injuries.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) and the boxing community at large have expressed their condolences for both boxers' families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community. Kotari was a warrior in the ring and a fighter in spirit, and his death is considered tragic by many. Urakawa's cause of death was a craniotomy after a knockout loss to Yoji Saito.
These fatalities have reignited concern over boxing safety regulations in Japan. The Japanese Boxing Commission responded by reducing all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts from 12 to 10 rounds to lessen prolonged exposure to trauma. Medical protocols at ringside, and overall fight length, are under scrutiny to improve boxer safety.
Beyond these recent cases, boxing-related brain injuries and fatalities are longstanding issues. Since 1884, hundreds of boxers have died due to fight injuries, with brain injuries like subdural hematomas or cerebral hemorrhages remaining primary causes. Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a long-term neurodegenerative disease linked to repeated head trauma in striking sports such as boxing, presents additional health risks—though CTE diagnosis currently requires autopsy after symptoms develop over time.
In response to risks of acute and cumulative brain injury, boxing authorities worldwide have implemented measures such as shortening the number of rounds in some bouts, mandatory ringside medical staff and post-fight medical checks, enhanced pre-fight medical screening to identify vulnerabilities, immediate medical intervention protocols for suspected brain injuries, and education campaigns about concussion and brain injury risks.
The boxing world is expressing sympathy for Kotari's family and the Japanese boxing community. As the sport moves forward, efforts to improve fighter safety will continue to be a priority. These tragic events serve as a stark reminder of the risks involved in boxing and the ongoing need for enhanced safety regulations.
[1] Boxing News (2025). Tragedy Strikes Japanese Boxing: Kotari and Urakawa Die from Brain Injuries. Retrieved from www.boxingnews.com/news/tragedy-strikes-japanese-boxing-kotari-and-urakawa-die-from-brain-injuries
[2] The Guardian (2025). Japanese Boxing Commission Reduces OPBF Title Bouts to 10 Rounds Following Fatalities. Retrieved from www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/aug/05/japanese-boxing-commission-reduces-opbf-title-bouts-to-10-rounds-following-fatalities
[3] Mayo Clinic (2023). Boxing Injuries and Safety. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/sports-medicine/in-depth/boxing/art-20048458
[4] BBC Sport (2025). Japanese Boxer Shigetoshi Kotari Dies After Brain Injury. Retrieved from www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/58364742
[5] National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (2023). Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Retrieved from www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/All-Disorders/Chronic-Traumatic-Encephalopathy-Information-Page
Sports, like boxing, have been the subject of ongoing safety concerns due to the risk of brain injuries. The need for improved regulations and protocols remains a priority, with the tragic deaths of Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa serving as a grim reminder of the stakes involved in the sport.
