The boxing community is in mourning following the death of a second Japanese boxer from injuries sustained during a single event in Tokyo.
Hiromasa Urakawa, 28, passed away on Saturday after being knocked out in the eighth round of his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2nd.
His death comes just one day after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who also succumbed to injuries from a separate bout on the same fight card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.
Both boxers underwent surgery for subdural hematoma, a severe condition involving a buildup of blood between the skull and the brain. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) released a statement expressing its sorrow, extending “deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
The WBO noted the heartbreaking coincidence of both deaths occurring so close together from the same event.
In the wake of this tragedy, the Japan Boxing Commission has announced a significant rule change, reducing all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts from 12 rounds to 10.
Urakawa is the third professional boxer to die in 2025, following the passing of Irishman John Cooney in February. Cooney, also 28, died from an intracranial hemorrhage after a fight in Belfast.
