Two boxers die in Tokyo event

Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died after sustaining brain injuries during separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall.

Two Japanese boxers die from brain injuries at Tokyo event

Two Japanese boxers died from brain injuries sustained during bouts on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed after a 12-round draw with Yamato Hata and underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma before dying on Friday. Tributes from boxing bodies followed, underscoring the shock felt across the sport.

Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died after suffering the same injury during a knockout loss to Yoji Daito, after a craniotomy to try to save his life. In response, the World Boxing Organization posted condolences and the Japanese Boxing Commission said OPBF title bouts would be shortened from 12 rounds to 10. The commission also launched an investigation and plans a September meeting to discuss the deaths. The events add to a year already marked by fatalities in boxing, prompting calls for urgent safety and medical protocol reforms.

These deaths lay bare a harsh truth about boxing: the sport carries real risks, and medical readiness must be consistent across events. The immediate regulatory move to shorten rounds signals a willingness to act, yet it may only be a first step toward broader reform. Regulators will need independent safety audits, standardized medical checks, and clearer emergency procedures to restore public trust.

For fans and families, transparency matters as much as action. The industry should insist on rigorous safety benchmarks, better on-site medical staffing, and stronger oversight of event planning. If reforms come late or feel cosmetic, the public will question whether the sport values safety as much as spectacle.

Highlights

Future changes will shape how boxing balances risk and grit.