The Japanese boxing community has been thrown into mourning after 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died from severe brain injuries sustained during a bout in Tokyo.
His death, confirmed on Saturday, comes just one day after fellow fighter Shigetoshi Kotari passed away from similar injuries suffered on the same fight card.
Urakawa collapsed after being knocked out in the eighth round of his 2 August clash against Yoji Saito at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall. Both he and Kotari underwent emergency surgery for subdural haematoma – a condition where blood collects between the brain and the skull – but tragically, neither survived.
Back-to-back losses rock the boxing world
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The World Boxing Organization (WBO) expressed deep sorrow, describing Urakawa’s passing as “heartbreaking” and noting the devastating proximity to Kotari’s death. The organisation extended condolences to the fighters’ families, friends, and the entire Japanese boxing community, acknowledging the enormous emotional toll on the sport.
These back-to-back tragedies have prompted swift action from the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC). Following the event, the JBC announced that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title fights will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10, in an effort to enhance fighter safety.
Moreover, Japanese media reports indicate that the JBC has launched an investigation and plans to hold a special meeting in September to discuss further preventive measures.
A grim year for the sport
Sadly, Urakawa’s death is the third high-profile boxing fatality in 2025. In February, Irish boxer John Cooney, also aged 28, died after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage during a fight in Belfast against Welshman Nathan Howells.
With each loss, concerns over fighter welfare continue to grow. This has prompted renewed calls for stricter safety protocols and improved medical oversight in the sport.
Tags: Hiromasa Urakawa, Shigetoshi Kotari, World Boxing Organization, WBO, Japan Boxing Commission, JBC, John Cooney, Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation, OPBF, Korakuen Hall.
