Tokyo’s boxing community is reeling after two fighters lost their lives to severe brain injuries suffered during separate bouts at the same event earlier this month.
On August 2, 28-year-old Shigetoshi Kotari went the distance in a grueling 12-round battle against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata. Moments after the fight ended in a draw, Kotari collapsed in the ring. Doctors later confirmed he had suffered a subdural hematoma… bleeding between the brain and the skull. Despite undergoing emergency surgery, Kotari tragically passed away on Friday.
The World Boxing Organization paid tribute, calling Kotari “a warrior in the ring and a fighter in spirit” while offering condolences to his family, team, and fans.
Less than 24 hours later, tragedy struck again. Fellow Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, succumbed to the same type of injury after being knocked out by Yoji Daito on the same fight card. Urakawa had undergone a craniotomy in a desperate attempt to save his life but died on Saturday. The WBO expressed heartbreak over the loss, noting that his death came just days after Kotari’s.
In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission has announced that all OPBF title fights will be shortened from 12 to 10 rounds. Officials have also launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding both deaths, with a meeting scheduled in September to discuss safety measures.
These back-to-back tragedies mark the latest in a string of boxing-related fatalities this year. In February, Irish fighter John Cooney, 28, died a week after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage during his Celtic super-featherweight title match in Belfast.
The double loss has sparked renewed debate over fighter safety and the inherent dangers of the sport, leaving the boxing world in mourning.
