Second boxer dies following Tokyo fight night tragedy
Japanese boxing is in mourning after a second fighter, Hiromasa Urakawa, died from injuries sustained during a professional event at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall last week. Urakawa, 28, passed away on Saturday, August 9th.
Urakawa suffered a knockout in the eighth round of his bout against Yoji Saito on Friday, August 2nd. He subsequently underwent emergency surgery for a subdural haematoma, a serious condition involving bleeding between the skull and the brain, but succumbed to his injuries a week later.
His death comes just one day after the passing of fellow boxer Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, who died on Friday, August 8th. Kotari also sustained a fatal subdural haematoma during a separate fight on the same August 2nd event card. Both fighters underwent surgery following their respective bouts.
The international boxing community expressed profound grief. The sport’s governing bodies stated: “We mourn the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito. This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
In response to the double tragedy, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced a significant safety measure: all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts under its jurisdiction will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10 rounds, effective immediately.
The JBC has also launched a formal investigation into the circumstances surrounding both deaths and plans to convene a special meeting in September to discuss broader safety protocols and preventative measures.
Urakawa and Kotari are the second and third high-profile boxing fatalities globally in 2025. Irish boxer John Cooney, also 28, died in February after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage following a fight in Belfast against Welshman Nathan Howells.
