Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa has died from brain injuries sustained during a fight on 2 August in Tokyo, becoming the second boxer to succumb to injuries from the same event. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) confirmed his death on Sunday, days after Shigetoshi Kotari, who fought on the same card, also died from brain injuries.
Urakawa, 28, was injured in his bout against Yoji Saito at Korakuen Hall. The WBO expressed its condolences, calling the losses an “irreparable loss” for the Japanese boxing community. Lightweight Urakawa had a professional record of 10 wins, 4 losses, with 7 knockouts.
Kotari, a Tokyo featherweight, died after a draw with Yamato Hata on the same card. He had 8 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 5 knockouts. In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission has reduced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights from 12 rounds to 10.
The tragedy follows the death of Irish super-featherweight John Cooney, 28, who died from a brain injury in February after his first Celtic title defence.
