Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in fights at the same event in Tokyo on 2 August, the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) has confirmed.
Hiromasa Urakawa, 28, died on Sunday after a bout with Yoji Saito at Korakuen Hall. Days earlier, Shigetoshi Kotari, who fought a draw with Yamato Hata on the same card, also succumbed to brain injuries.
“The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight,” a WBO statement read. “This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari.”
Urakawa, a lightweight, had a professional record of 10-4 with seven knockouts. Kotari, a featherweight, contested 12 bouts, with eight wins, two losses and two draws.
In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission has announced that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
