Hiromasa Urakawa, 28, succumbed to injuries sustained during a boxing match in Tokyo, following the death of fellow boxer Shigetoshi Kotari just days earlier. The Japan Boxing Commission is investigating, leading to a reduction in title bout rounds.
Tragic Losses in Japanese Boxing: Second Boxer Dies from Injuries
Tragic Losses in Japanese Boxing: Second Boxer Dies from Injuries
The boxing community mourns the loss of Hiromasa Urakawa, the second Japanese boxer to die from a brain injury following a recent Tokyo event, raising concerns over athlete safety in the sport.
The Japanese boxing world is in mourning after the recent tragic loss of Hiromasa Urakawa, who died from brain injuries sustained during a match in Tokyo. Urakawa, 28, suffered a knockout in the eighth round against Yoji Saito on August 2 and passed away on Saturday. This incident follows the death of another boxer, Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries from a different fight on the same event card.
Both Urakawa and Kotari underwent surgery for subdural hematoma, a serious condition where blood accumulates between the skull and brain. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) expressed its sorrow over the tragic passing of Urakawa, stating that it "mourns the passing of Japanese boxer" and extended condolences to his family, friends, and the local boxing community.
In response to these tragic events, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced that all future Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will now be limited to 10 rounds instead of the usual 12. Furthermore, the JBC is conducting an investigation into the circumstances surrounding these fatalities and plans to convene in September to address safety measures in the sport.
Urakawa's death marks a grim milestone in 2025, following the high-profile passing of Irish boxer John Cooney earlier this year due to complications from an intracranial hemorrhage sustained in a match in Belfast. These incidents have reignited discussions about the risks associated with boxing and the need for enhanced safety protocols for athletes. The echo of these tragedies raises critical questions about the measures in place to protect fighters, both in Japan and globally.
