A tragic cloud has fallen over Japanese boxing after two fighters lost their lives to brain injuries sustained on the same night. Lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, aged 28, became the second casualty from the August 2 event at Tokyo’s iconic Korakuen Hall. His passing came just days after the death of fellow boxer Shigetoshi Kotari, a featherweight, who fought to a draw earlier in the evening.
Urakawa suffered critical injuries during his bout against Yoji Saito. Despite medical intervention, he could not recover from the trauma and passed away a week later. Kotari, also 28, sustained similar injuries in his fight with Yamato Hata and succumbed shortly afterward. The two deaths have shaken Japan’s boxing community, leaving family, friends, and fans in mourning.
Both men were established professionals. Urakawa had contested 14 professional fights, with a record of 10 wins, 4 losses, and 7 knockouts. Kotari had fought 12 times, recording 8 wins, 2 losses, 2 draws, and 5 knockouts. The sudden loss of two active boxers in their prime has raised fresh questions about safety standards in the sport.
In response to the double tragedy, the Japanese Boxing Commission has announced immediate changes to competition rules. All Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10 in a bid to lessen the risk of severe injury. While this measure is seen as a step toward greater safety, concerns remain about the dangers fighters face in the ring, particularly from cumulative head trauma.
The incident has drawn wider attention to the risks of professional boxing, coming in the same year that Irish super-featherweight fighter John Cooney, also 28, died from a brain injury suffered during his Celtic title defence in February. The clustering of such incidents has reignited debate over whether the sport’s governing bodies are doing enough to protect fighters.
The loss of Urakawa and Kotari has united Japan’s boxing fraternity in grief, with tributes pouring in from fellow athletes, coaches, and fans. The memory of these two men, both dedicated to their craft and beloved by supporters, will likely become a rallying point for calls to strengthen safety protocols in the sport.
This devastating episode serves as a stark reminder of boxing’s inherent dangers and the fine line between glory and tragedy inside the squared circle.
