The Japanese boxing community is in mourning after two fighters died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.
Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed moments after his 12-round title bout against Yamato Hata ended in a draw. He was rushed to hospital and underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma. Despite doctors’ efforts, Kotari died six days later.
“Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,” the World Boxing Organisation wrote in a tribute shared on social media. “A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.”
Tragically, the same event also claimed the life of Hiromasa Urakawa. The 28-year-old suffered a knockout defeat to Yoji Saito in a separate fight and was diagnosed with the same injury; a subdural hematoma. He underwent a craniotomy but died from his injuries on Saturday.
In another statement, the WBO said: “This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
In a haunting twist, Kotari and Urakawa had fought each other in April last year.
The back-to-back tragedies prompted the Japanese Boxing Commission to announce immediate safety changes. Effective immediately, all OPBF title bouts will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10 in an effort to reduce the risk of severe injury. Calls for a full investigation into the August 2 event have also grown louder across the sport.
“Two deaths in the same event… heartbreaking,” one fan wrote online. Another added: “You might want to test every fighter from August 2. RIP.”
The sport has already seen another high-profile loss in 2025. In February, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after suffering an intracranial hemorrhage during his Celtic super-featherweight title fight against Nathan Howells in Belfast, as previously reported. The 28-year-old collapsed after the ninth-round stoppage and underwent emergency surgery, but never recovered.
“He was a much-loved son, brother, and partner,” his family said in a statement, thanking staff at Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital for their tireless efforts and supporters for their prayers.
Three deaths in less than a year have renewed concerns over safety in professional boxing and sparked debate over whether more sweeping reforms are needed to protect fighters’ lives.