Tragedy! Two fighters die from brain injuries after fighting at the same boxing event in Japan

Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa died after brain damage (Photo: Reproduction)

Japanese boxing was rocked by a double tragedy after the deaths of fighters Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28 years old, due to brain injuries suffered in separate fights, but at the same event, held on August 2 at Korakuen Hall, in Tokyo, the Japanese capital.

Kotari faced Yamato Hata in a draw for the OPBF title. After the fight, the boxer collapsed in the locker room and was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery to treat a subdural hematoma, a collection of blood between the brain and skull. He died on Friday (8).

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Hiromasa Urakawa, who also fought on the same night, was knocked out in the eighth round by Yoji Saito. Diagnosed with the same brain injury, he underwent a craniotomy to relieve pressure on his brain, but remained in a coma until his death was confirmed on Saturday (9).

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) mourned the deaths in statements and extended condolences to the families and the Japanese boxing community.

In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced a reduction in the number of rounds in OPBF title fights from 12 to 10 in an attempt to reduce the risks for the athletes. The change, however, does not apply to fights like Urakawa's, which were scheduled for eight rounds.