Two Japanese Boxers Die from Brain Injuries in Same Tokyo Event
'Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,' the World Boxing Organization (WBO) posted on social media. 'A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon.'
Another Loss Within 24 Hours
Just one day later, tragedy struck again. Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died on Saturday after sustaining the same type of injury during a knockout defeat to Yoji Saito. Despite undergoing a craniotomy to relieve the pressure on his brain, Urakawa could not be saved.
'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari,' the WBO wrote in another tribute, offering condolences to both families and the Japanese boxing community.
Safety Changes Announced
In the wake of the back-to-back fatalities, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced it will reduce all OPBF title fights from 12 rounds to 10 in an effort to improve fighter safety.
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