Two Boxers Die From Brain Injuries at Same Tokyo Event

Two Japanese boxers, both aged 28, tragically lost their lives after suffering brain injuries during separate matches on the same fight card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.

• Shigetoshi Kotari, a super featherweight, battled to a 12-round draw against Yamato Hata before collapsing from a subdural hematoma. Despite emergency surgery, he passed away on August 8.
• Hiromasa Urakawa, a lightweight opponent of Yoji Saito, was stopped in the eighth round and similarly succumbed to brain trauma following surgery. He died the following night.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) expressed its condolences, calling both fighters "warriors" and extending sympathy to their families and the Japanese boxing community. The Japan Boxing Commission noted it may be the first time in Japan that two boxers required skull-opening surgery for injuries from the same event.

In response, emergency safety reforms have been introduced: the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) has reduced title bouts from 12 rounds to 10, and the Japan Boxing Commission is convening to further assess fighter safety protocols.

These heartbreaking incidents have reignited urgent discussions around safety and regulation within the sport.

What changes do you think should be made to better protect boxers? Share your thoughts in the comments section.

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