Two Japanese professional boxers tragically died as a result of brain injuries sustained during their fights.
In a tragic turn of events, the world of boxing has been left in mourning following the deaths of two Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, who passed away due to brain injuries sustained in separate fights.
Shigetoshi Kotari, a 28-year-old boxer, died on August 8, 2025, after a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior-lightweight champion Yamato Hata in Belfast. Hiromasa Urakawa, another 28-year-old boxer, died a day later due to the same type of brain injury. The cause of Urakawa's injury was a knockout loss, inflicted by Yoji Saito in a fight at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall, the same venue where Kotari suffered his fatal injury.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has extended its condolences for the passing of both boxers. In a statement, the WBO expressed its sympathies on social media, acknowledging the tragic loss of life in the sport.
The recent deaths of Kotari and Urakawa add to a string of recent ring-related deaths in the sport. Earlier this year, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being placed in intensive care following his Celtic super-featherweight title loss. However, no specific cause of death was mentioned for Cooney in the available reports.
In response to these tragedies, the OPBF has announced that all title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10 rounds, effective immediately. The decision aims to reduce the risk of such incidents in the future.
It's worth noting that a search of recent boxing-related deaths did not yield any results specifically involving Kotari, Urakawa, or Cooney. The only boxing-related death found in the data is the passing of Mike McCallum, a notable retired boxer, who died in 2025 from illness while driving, not as a result of a boxing incident.
As the boxing community grapples with these losses, the focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of all athletes. The tragic incidents serve as a reminder of the inherent risks in the sport and the need for continuous efforts to improve safety measures and protocols.
The escalating concern for health and wellness in the sports community is underscored by the recent string of boxing-related deaths, including Shigetoshi Kotari, Hiromasa Urakawa, and John Cooney. Amidst these tragic incidents, the science and medical-conditions related to boxing, particularly brain injuries, have come to the forefront, necessitating urgent attention and exploration for improved health and wellness protocols in the world of boxing.
