Tragedy struck Japan’s boxing community after two fighters, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died from brain injuries incurred during separate bouts on the same fight card at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on August 2. Both boxers were rushed to hospital where they underwent brain surgery following their matches.
Kotari, a super featherweight, had battled to a 12-round draw against fellow Japanese boxer Yamato Hata. He lost consciousness shortly after the fight and passed away on August 8, according to an announcement from his MT boxing gym. Despite undergoing surgery and treatment for acute subdural hematoma, he was unable to recover.
Urakawa, a lightweight fighter, was stopped in the eighth and final round of his match against Yoji Saito. He died on the night of August 8, just days after Kotari’s passing. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) expressed its deep sorrow and extended condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community over the heartbreaking losses.
Japan Boxing Commission secretary-general Tsuyoshi Yasukochi noted that this incident is likely the first in Japan where two fighters from the same event required skull-opening surgery due to injuries sustained in the ring, highlighting serious concerns about boxer safety and the dangers of the sport.