Japan

Two Japanese Boxers Die From Brain Injuries

Published AUG 11 2025

Story

Above: A pair of Everlast boxing gloves. Image credit: Zane Burko/Unsplash

The Facts

Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, died Friday after he collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on Aug. 2.
CBS News
New York Post
ap
Then on Saturday, Hiromasa Urakawa, 28, died after he suffered a knockout loss to Yoji Saito in the eighth round on the same Aug. 2 card.
BBC News
FOX News
guardian
Both boxers underwent emergency brain surgery for subdural hematoma, a condition where blood collects between the brain and skull. They succumbed to their injuries despite medical intervention.
CNN
The Telegraph
ap
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) and World Boxing Council (WBC) issued statements extending condolences to the families and the Japanese boxing community following both deaths.
CBS News
guardian
Al Jazeera
The Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC) announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10 rounds in response to the deaths of both fighters.
BBC News
CNN
Al Jazeera
Previously this year, Irish boxer John Cooney, 28, died from a brain injury after being stopped in his Celtic super-featherweight title defense in February.
CNN
guardian
FOX News

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

CENTER

PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

These deaths highlight boxing's inherent dangers that no amount of regulation can eliminate. The sport involves repeated blows to the head by design, making brain injuries an unavoidable risk. The commissions that regulate the sport only spring into action in response to tragedy rather than actively working to make the sport safer. Boxing should be banned if it can't be made safer.

The Telegraph

CBS News

Narrative B

Boxing regulators are taking decisive action to improve fighter safety through meaningful reforms. The JBC's immediate response to reduce the length of championship fights and launch investigations shows the sport can evolve. Medical oversight is being strengthened to prevent future tragedies. Boxing is popular in Japan and willing combatants should be permitted to continue plying their trade.