Professional boxing has been plunged into grief following the deaths of two Japanese fighters who competed on the same Tokyo event. Both men died from injuries sustained during their respective bouts at Korakuen Hall on 2 August.
The fighters, each 28 years old, were Hiromasa Urakawa and Shigetoshi Kotari. Their deaths within a day of each other represent one of boxing's most devastating tragedies in recent memory.
Urakawa died after suffering a brain injury during his eighth-round stoppage loss to Yoji Saito. He had undergone surgery but could not recover from his injuries.
Kotari passed away on Friday, six days following his match against Yamato Hata. The World Boxing Organization confirmed his death.
Hiromasa Urakawa was the second fighter to die from the card on August 2
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The Japanese Boxing Commission had confirmed that both fighters required hospitalisation after their bouts on that fateful evening in Tokyo.
Ring Magazine reported that Urakawa died after being hospitalised with brain injuries following his knockout defeat. The fighter had compiled a professional record of ten victories, including seven knockouts, against four losses during his career.
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Kotari's death occurred first, with the WBO announcing his passing on Friday, approximately six days after his bout. Urakawa's death followed shortly afterwards, compounding the tragedy.
The Japanese Boxing Commission responded swiftly to these fatalities by implementing immediate rule changes. Officials announced that Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation contests would be reduced from twelve rounds to ten rounds, aiming to minimise the risk of serious injuries.
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The boxing community has been rocked with two fighters dying in as many days
| GettyOfficials announced that Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation contests would be reduced from twelve rounds to ten rounds, aiming to minimise the risk of serious injuries.
These deaths mark the second and third boxing fatalities of 2025. Irish fighter John Cooney died in February at age 28 after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage during his bout with Nathan Howells.
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The Japanese Boxing Commission's decision to shorten OPBF contests represents an urgent attempt to enhance fighter safety following these devastating losses.
The reduction from twelve to ten rounds took effect immediately after the deaths were confirmed.
John Cooney also died earlier this year from injuries sustained in the ring | GettyThe concentration of three boxing deaths within eight months, all involving fighters aged 28, has intensified scrutiny of safety protocols within the sport.