The global boxing community is in mourning following the deaths of two Japanese fighters, both aged 28, who sustained fatal injuries during the same event at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.

Hiromasa Urakawa became the second casualty of the night, passing away on August 9 after emergency brain surgery. Urakawa suffered a severe head injury in an eighth-round knockout loss to Yoji Saito. His death comes just one day after fellow competitor Shigetoshi Kotari succumbed to brain trauma from his bout against Yamato Hata on the same card.

Both fighters were rushed to hospital immediately after their matches in line with Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC) protocols, but despite rapid medical intervention, neither survived.

In the wake of the back-to-back tragedies, the JBC announced immediate changes to its regulations, cutting championship bouts under the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) jurisdiction from 12 rounds to 10, aiming to reduce prolonged head trauma. “This measure is to safeguard fighters from extended exposure to dangerous impacts,” a JBC spokesperson said.

Urakawa, who ended his career with 10 wins (7 KOs) and 4 losses, and Kotari are now counted among the year’s boxing fatalities, joining Irish boxer John Cooney, who died in February from a brain hemorrhage after a fight in Dublin.

The incidents have reignited debate over fighter safety, with promoters and medical experts calling for enhanced pre-fight health screenings, improved ringside medical response, and real-time neurological monitoring during matches.

The August 2 event, initially anticipated as a showcase of elite matchups, has instead become a somber reminder of the sport’s inherent dangers. WBO representative Maria Torres stressed the importance of reform, saying: “These losses underscore the urgent need for innovation in protective measures to preserve both the sport and the lives of those who dedicate themselves to it.”

As the boxing world pays tribute to Urakawa and Kotari, the tragedies leave a lasting mark, challenging the balance between boxing’s proud traditions and the growing demand for stricter athlete welfare safeguards.