Boxing Tragedy: Second Japanese Boxer Succumbs to Fight-Related Injuries

In a tragic turn of events, Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, 28, died after suffering severe brain injuries at a Tokyo boxing event, only days after the death of fellow boxer Shigetoshi Kotari.

A second Japanese boxer has tragically lost his life following a brain injury incurred during a match in Tokyo. Hiromasa Urakawa passed away on Saturday after being knocked out in the eighth round by Yoji Saito on August 2. His death comes just days after Shigetoshi Kotari, also aged 28, died from injuries he sustained during a separate bout on the same card held at Korakuen Hall.

Both boxers underwent surgery for subdural hematoma, a life-threatening condition characterized by the pooling of blood between the skull and the brain. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) expressed its condolences, stating, “We mourn the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito.” They further emphasized the heartbreak felt within the boxing community, particularly following the death of Kotari.

In response to the alarming incidents, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) has initiated a review of safety protocols. They announced that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will be limited to 10 rounds instead of the traditional 12 to enhance fighter safety. Japanese media have reported that the JBC is investigating the circumstances surrounding both fatalities, with an upcoming meeting planned for September.

Urakawa's death marks the third high-profile boxing fatality in 2025. Earlier in the year, Irish boxer John Cooney, aged 28, died after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage following a fight in Belfast against Welshman Nathan Howells. The sport continues to grapple with issues of safety and the risks that fighters encounter within the ring.