Two fighters hailing from Japan, both competing on the same event, succumb to brain injuries post-match.
In a heartbreaking turn of events, the Japanese boxing community is mourning the loss of two young boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, who died following brain injuries sustained during separate fights at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on August 2 and 3 respectively. Both boxers were 28 years old.
Kotari, a junior lightweight champion of the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF), collapsed after completing a 12-round draw against Yamato Hata. He was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, a life-threatening condition where blood collects between the brain and skull. Despite emergency brain surgery, he passed away a few days later.
In a tragic twist, Urakawa, a featherweight boxer, suffered a knockout loss in the same event. He too was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma and underwent surgery, but unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after.
These tragic incidents have prompted the Japanese Boxing Commission to take action. All OPBF title bouts have been reduced from 12 rounds to 10, and an investigation is underway to understand the circumstances leading to these unfortunate events. Meetings are planned to discuss safety improvements in the sport.
Sadly, this is not an isolated incident. In February 2025, Irish boxer John Cooney died following a fight in Belfast where he sustained an intracranial hemorrhage, bleeding within the brain tissue. He passed away a week after intensive care treatment.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has expressed its condolences for the tragic passing of Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa. They described Kotari as a warrior in the ring and a fighter in spirit, while extending their thoughts and prayers to the family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community. The WBO also mourned the passing of Urakawa and extended their condolences for his family and the boxing community.
These incidents highlight the risks associated with brain injuries in boxing. Repeated heavy blows or a single severe hit can cause life-threatening conditions like subdural hematomas or intracranial hemorrhages. Calls for enhanced medical protocols and safety measures, including mandatory brain scans before and after fights, are growing louder to protect the health and safety of boxers.
[1] Sponichi, August 2025 [2] Various news sources, August 2025 [3] World Boxing Organization social media posts, August 2025 [5] Boxing Scene, August 2025
- The recent deaths of Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, have revitalized conversations about the risks associated with boxing and sports, as both boxers died from brain injuries sustained during their fights in Tokyo, Japan.
- Despite their tragic deaths, the Japanese Boxing Commission is taking action to improve safety in boxing, including reducing title bouts from 12 to 10 rounds and launching an investigation into the circumstances that led to these incidents, further highlighting the importance of sports' safety measures.
