Two Japanese Boxers Die After Suffering Brain Injuries in Tokyo

• Aug 11, 2025

Two Japanese professional boxers have died from brain injuries sustained during separate bouts on the same fight card in Tokyo.

Hiromasa Urakawa, 28, passed away on Saturday after being knocked out by Yoji Saito in the eighth round of their match on August 2. His death came just one day after fellow Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari died from similar injuries sustained in a different bout at the same event, held at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

Both men underwent surgery for subdural haematoma, a serious condition where blood collects between the skull and the brain. Despite medical intervention, neither boxer survived.

The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) issued a statement expressing deep sorrow over the tragedies. “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, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card,” the WBO said. The organisation also extended condolences to the boxers’ families, friends, and the wider Japanese boxing community.

In response to the back-to-back fatalities, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced immediate changes to its rules. All Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. The commission has also launched an investigation into the incidents and plans to hold a meeting in September to discuss further safety measures.

The tragedies have drawn attention to the dangers of boxing, a sport where fighters often push themselves to physical extremes. Urakawa’s death marks the third high-profile boxing fatality of 2025. In February, Irish boxer John Cooney, also aged 28, died after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage during a fight against Welshman Nathan Howells in Belfast.

While boxing authorities around the world have implemented various safety measures over the years, these incidents highlight the continuing risks fighters face. The JBC’s upcoming meeting will likely focus on whether additional steps can be taken to protect athletes while preserving the integrity of the sport.

For now, Japan’s boxing community is mourning the loss of two athletes whose careers — and lives — ended far too soon.