The Japanese boxing community has been struck by another devastating blow. Just days after the death of Shigetoshi Kotari from brain injuries sustained in the ring, another fighter, Hiromasa Urakawa, tragically lost his life under eerily similar circumstances.
Both incidents occurred on the same night, August 2, 2025, at Tokyo’s famed Korakuen Hall.
Two Japanese boxers pass away from brain injuries
Urakawa had been knocked out by Yoji Saito, but the fight’s end was only the beginning of a far more harrowing battle.
Rushed to the hospital, he was diagnosed with an acute subdural haematoma and underwent emergency brain surgery, as noted by MARCA.
For a brief moment, there was hope. Reports suggested he was responding well after the operation. But that hope faded when the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) confirmed his passing.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) was among the first to respond, extending its condolences to Urakawa’s loved ones and the wider Japanese boxing community.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement read. “This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries sustained in his fight on the same card.”
Japan’s sad history with brain injuries leading to death
The night’s tragedy didn’t end there. Kotari’s opponent, Yamato Hata, also suffered brain injuries and remains in critical condition. It’s a chilling reminder of how fine the line is between triumph and tragedy in the sport.
Sadly, this isn’t the first time Japanese boxing has been marred by such loss. In 2023, Kazuki Anaguchi and Kanamu Sakama also died from injuries after competing on the same card as Naoya Inoue.
For World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaiman, the incidents are a painful wake-up call.
“We deeply regret this loss, an accident in the ring that forces us all to continue to investigate ways to make boxing safer and implement prevention programs,” he said.
Japan’s Boxing Commission takes active stance after back-to-back deaths
In response to the latest fatalities, the Japan Boxing Commission has announced that Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation bouts will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
While the move has been framed as a step toward greater safety, critics argue it’s too little, too late, a measure that fails to address the deeper, systemic dangers fighters face.