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Tokyo Weekender
a day ago
- Sport
- Tokyo Weekender
Japan's Boxing World in Crisis After Two Fighters Die From Brain Injuries Sustained on the Same Night
Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa passed away on Saturday due to injuries to his brain following a bout with Yoji Saito at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on August 2. He was 28. The news of Urakawa's death came just over 24 hours after the announcement that fellow boxer Shigetoshi Kotari had died. Also aged 28, he fought for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) belt against Yamato Hata on the same card. Kotari, who earned a draw with champion Hata, collapsed soon after the 12-round encounter finished. The super-featherweight was able to depart the ring on his own, but appeared visibly shaken by the head injury. He was subsequently taken to hospital, where he had emergency brain surgery to treat a subdural hematoma — a condition where blood collects between the skull and the brain. Sadly, he was unable to recover. Tragically, he wasn't the only one. List of Contents: Shock as Two Japanese Boxers Die on Same Card JBC To Hold Emergency Meeting Related Posts Shock as Two Japanese Boxers Die on Same Card Urakawa had undergone a craniotomy in an attempt to save his life after his eighth round defeat to Saito. He didn't survive the operation. 'The boxing world is in shock and deep sorrow for the tragic deaths of 2 boxers who fought in the same card in Japan,' posted World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaiman on X . 'May they rest in peace and their inspiration serve to all to work on finding ways to protect our boxers of the world.' It's been a dark couple of years for Japanese boxing. In February 2024, Kazuki Anaguchi died from injuries he sustained after being knocked down four times in a bout with Seiya Tsutsumi on December 26, 2023. In May of this year, Ginjiro Shigeoka was placed in a medically induced coma after suffering an acute subdural hematoma following his split decision loss to Filipino boxer Pedro Taduran. The severity of his condition led to his mandatory retirement from boxing. In June, his brother, Yudai, posted an update on his condition. He said that his eyes were half-open 'because he's no longer taking painkillers.' Adding that he had also started chewing and yawning, he described it as 'a somewhat reassuring encounter.' JBC To Hold Emergency Meeting Under pressure to act, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), gym owners and other boxing officials are planning an emergency meeting on Tuesday. The JBC has already decided to reduce all OPBF title bouts from 12 rounds to 10. 'The offensive power of Japanese boxing today is tremendous,' Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, told reporters. 'We have more and more boxers who are able to start exchanges of fierce blows from the first round. Maybe 12 rounds can be dangerous.' Related Posts What Next for Pound-for-Pound Star Naoya Inoue After TJ Doheny Victory? Japan's 'Mr Professional Baseball' Shigeo Nagashima Dies at 89 The Tragic Tale of Kokichi Tsuburaya | Spotlight
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Two Japanese Boxers Die from Brain Injuries in Separate Bouts
TOKYO (AP) — Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on Aug. 2. He underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma — a condition where blood collects between the brain and skull— but died on Friday. 'Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,' the World Boxing Organization wrote on social media. 'The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. 'A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.' On Saturday, fellow 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died after suffering the same injury during a knockout loss to Yoji Saito. He had undergone a craniotomy in an attempt to save his life. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card,' the WBO said in another social media post on Saturday. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission has announced all OPBF title bouts will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. Earlier this year, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being taken into intensive care following his Celtic super-featherweight title defeat to Nathan Howells in Belfast.
Japan Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- Japan Today
Two Japanese boxers on same card die of brain injuries
boxing Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on Aug 2. He underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma — a condition where blood collects between the brain and skull— but died on Friday. 'Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,' the World Boxing Organization wrote on social media. 'The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. 'A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.' On Saturday, fellow 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died after suffering the same injury during a knockout loss to Yoji Saito. He had undergone a craniotomy in an attempt to save his life. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card," the WBO said in another social media post on Saturday. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission has announced all OPBF title bouts will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. Earlier this year, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being taken into intensive care following his Celtic super-featherweight title defeat to Nathan Howells in Belfast. © 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Star
Two Japanese boxers die from brain injuries in separate bouts
TOKYO (AP) — Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on Aug. 2.
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Two Japanese boxers die from brain injuries in separate bouts
TOKYO (AP) — Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on Aug. 2. He underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma — a condition where blood collects between the brain and skull— but died on Friday. 'Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,' the World Boxing Organization wrote on social media. 'The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. 'A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.' On Saturday, fellow 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died after suffering the same injury during a knockout loss to Yoji Saito. He had undergone a craniotomy in an attempt to save his life. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card,' the WBO said in another social media post on Saturday. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission has announced all OPBF title bouts will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. Earlier this year, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being taken into intensive care following his Celtic super-featherweight title defeat to Nathan Howells in Belfast. ___ AP sports:
