Tokyo Boxing Tragedy: Two Fighters Die After August 2 Bouts

Hiromasa Urakawa and Shigetoshi Kotari, two Japanese boxers, have died from brain injuries following separate bouts in the same event in Tokyo.

The 28-year-old Urakawa died after he had fought Yoji Saito on 2 August at Korakuen Hall. He lost that bout by technical knockout in the eighth round and died as a result of injuries from that fight.  

The 28-year-old Kotari collapsed after finishing a 12-round fight that ended in a draw with Yamato Hata. Kotari had emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma, but he did not recover and died from his injuries on 8 August. 

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) shared their sorrow in learning about both boxers' deaths and sent their condolences to both families and the wider community of boxing in Japan.

The Japanese Boxing Commission said it will shorted all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title fights from 12 rounds to 10 rounds in the name of safety, in wake of these fatalities.

Earlier this year, Irish boxer John Cooney died from a brain injury incurred in a bout, underlining ongoing concerns about the injury risks involved in boxing.