Latest news with #Urakawa
Tokyo Weekender
12-08-2025
- 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
Indian Express
11-08-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Another Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa dies after injuries suffered in fight, second such death in last week in Japan
A day after Japanese boxer 28-year-old Shigetoshi Kotari died last Friday from injuries sustained during his bout with Yamato Hata on August 2, another Japanese boxer 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died on Saturday post injuries sustained during his featherweight eighth round loss via knockout against Yogi Saito in the same card as of Kotari at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on August 2. Both Kotari and Urakawa had undergone surgery for subdural haematoma-a condition where blood collects between the skull and brain due to an impact. With Urakawa becoming the second Japanese boxer to die within days, the Japanese Boxing Commission will hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday with the commission having announced its decision to hold all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts for ten rounds instead of 12 post Kotari's death on Friday. Urakawa's death is also the third such instance this year after Irishman John Conley had died in February following his fight against Nathan Howells of Welsh. Conney died after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage, a condition where bleeding happens in the skull. 'World Boxing Council mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito. This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' World Boxing Council said in a statement. While Katori had died after a draw against Hata after 12 rounds, Urakawa died post his eighth-round loss against Saito on August 2. Both boxers had undergone a craniotomy, a process of removing a part of the skull, but died within a day of each other's passing. While Kotari had contested in 12 bouts including eight wins, two losses and two draws with five knockout wins, Urakawa had fought 14 times as professional boxer with ten wins and four losses including seven knockout wins in his brief professional career. 'We are acutely aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport. We will take whatever measures we can,' Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, told Japanese media on Sunday. While JBC announced an investigation and planned to hold a meeting in September earlier last week, the common officials will have the emergency meeting on Tuesday. On the decision to make the professional bouts of ten rounds instead of 12 rounds, Yasukochi had termed 12 rounds as dangerous in the present scenario. 'The offensive power of Japanese boxing today is tremendous. 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,' Japanese newspaper The Asahi Shimbum reported.
RTÉ News
10-08-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Second boxer dies from brain injuries after Tokyo event
Hiromasa Urakawa has become the second boxer to die from brain injuries sustained at the same event in Tokyo. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) announced the death of Japanese boxer Urakawa at the age of 28 on Sunday following a bout with Yoji Saito on 2 August. It occurred days after Shigetoshi Kotari, who fought out a draw with Yamato Hata on the same card in Tokyo, died due to injuries to his brain. "The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on 2 August at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo," a WBO statement read. "This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time." Lightweight Urakawa fought 14 times as a professional (10-4, 7KOs), while Tokyo featherweight Kotari contested 12 bouts (8-2-2, 5KOs). The Japanese Boxing Commission has since announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
Irish Daily Mirror
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Second boxer dies after being hospitalised on same card as fellow fighter
The boxing world has been left reeling after it was confirmed that a second fighter has died on the same card in Tokyo. On Saturday news emerged that Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa had succumbed to his injuries after being hospitalised with a brain injury following an eighth-round knockout defeat to Yoji Saito on August 2. On Friday it was confirmed that Shigetoshi Kotari also died from the injuries he sustained on the same night. Both men were 28 years old. Urakawa's record featured 10 wins with seven KOs and four defeats. Urakawa underwent surgery in a bid to save him but Ring Magazine have now reported that he has tragically passed away. He is the third boxer to die of injuries sustained in the ring this year, following Kotari and Irishman John Cooney, who died back in February. Cooney suffered an intracranial haemorrhage in his fight against Nathan Howells. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) said in a statement on social media: "The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. "This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time." John Cooney (Image: Brian Lawless/PA Wire) The Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation has now bought about rules changes following Kotari's injuries and tragic death. From now on OPBF title fights will be 10 rounds, rather than the 12 that are normally common practice in title fights around the globe. Ring Magazine said: "The Ring is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Hiromasa Urakawa. Urakawa, 28, died Saturday from a brain injury he suffered during a stoppage loss on Aug 2nd in Tokyo. Our sympathies are with the Urakawa family at this time." Earlier this year Mark Dunlop, the manager of Irish fighter Cooney, said he "can't blame anybody" following his tragic death and added" "John knew the dangers, the family know the dangers... everyone involved in boxing know that it carries a risk."
Irish Independent
10-08-2025
- Sport
- Irish Independent
Second boxer dies at the same event as commission confirms a significant rule change
The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) announced the death of Japanese boxer Urakawa at the age of 28 on Sunday following a bout with Yoji Saito on August 2. It occurred days after Shigetoshi Kotari, who fought out a draw with Yamato Hata on the same card in Tokyo, died due to injuries to his brain. 'The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo,' a WBO statement read. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' Lightweight Urakawa fought 14 times as a professional (10-4, 7KOs), while Tokyo featherweight Kotari contested 12 bouts (8-2-2, 5KOs). The Japanese Boxing Commission has since announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
