TOKYO (BN24) — Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa has died from a brain injury sustained during a bout earlier this month, becoming the second fighter to die from the same Tokyo boxing event, officials confirmed Saturday.
Urakawa, 28, was knocked out in the eighth round of his match against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall. He was rushed to the hospital and underwent emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma—a serious condition involving bleeding between the skull and brain—but succumbed to his injuries six days later.
His death follows that of fellow Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari, who died just one day earlier, on Friday, from similar injuries sustained in a separate fight on the same card. Kotari had also undergone surgery for a subdural hematoma but did not recover.
The two deaths have sent shockwaves through the boxing world and prompted immediate policy changes in Japan. The Japan Boxing Commission announced that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10 in response to the twin tragedies.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) issued a statement mourning the loss of Urakawa. “This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari,” the organization said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
Urakawa is the third professional boxer to die from fight-related brain injuries in 2025. In February, Irish fighter John Cooney died at the age of 28 following an intracranial hemorrhage sustained during a bout with Welsh opponent Nathan Howells in Belfast.
The back-to-back fatalities in Tokyo have intensified global scrutiny on fighter safety, particularly regarding the detection and treatment of traumatic brain injuries in real-time during matches. Medical professionals and athletic commissions are calling for stricter pre-fight screenings, faster in-ring medical assessments, and better enforcement of safety regulations.
As investigations continue and tributes pour in, the Japanese boxing community is grappling with the aftermath of a tragic event that has already left a lasting mark on the sport’s future in the region. Promoters, trainers, and regulators are expected to convene in the coming weeks to discuss additional safety reforms, with the hope of preventing further loss of life in the ring.
Credit: BBC
