The Japanese boxing community is in mourning after two fighters lost their lives following bouts on the same night in Tokyo. On August 2, 2025, at the iconic Korakuen Hall, 28-year-old Shigetoshi Kotari and 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa both sustained severe head injuries in separate contests.

In the evening’s first tragedy, Urakawa was knocked out in the eighth round of his fight against Yoji Saito and was later diagnosed with acute subdural hemorrhage. Hours later, Kotari collapsed in his corner moments after a grueling 12-round OPBF super-featherweight title bout with Yamato Hata, which ended in a draw. He was found to have suffered the same type of brain injury.

Both men underwent emergency brain surgery, but despite doctors’ best efforts, Kotari passed away on August 8 and Urakawa on August 9. The heartbreaking events have prompted immediate action from the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC).

Immediate Rule Changes for Title Fights

Just days after the tragedies, the JBC confirmed a major rule change: all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) and WBO Asia Pacific title fights held in Japan will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. Officials hope the shorter distance will help lessen the cumulative damage fighters take over the course of a bout.

Following the deaths of two Japanese boxers from injuries sustained in separate fights, a boxing commission has made a change to its rules. See what new regulations are being considered for fighter safety. #Boxing #FighterSafetyhttps://t.co/pYa2mLIlbF

— WilliamTaylor (@WilliamT900) August 10, 2025

Emergency Safety Review Underway

JBC Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi announced that an emergency meeting with gym leaders, coaches, and medical experts will be held on August 12 to discuss additional measures.

Proposals include stricter enforcement of pre-fight weight checks to prevent extreme rehydration and weight gain after official weigh-ins — a practice that current rules do not adequately penalize.

“What happened is deeply serious,” Yasukochi stated. “We will listen to everyone involved and take any step we can to prevent this from happening again.”

A Pattern of Concern

This marks the third boxing-related death in Japan in under two years, following the passing of Kazuki Anaguchi in February 2024 due to injuries sustained in a December 2023 fight.

The JBC has pledged to make boxer safety its top priority moving forward, ensuring the sport continues with stronger safeguards in place.

In a significant move for the sport of boxing in Singapore, the Singapore Boxing Federation (SBF) has established the Singapore Boxing Commission