Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the Japan Boxing Commission, informed native media after their hospitalisation that it was probably “the primary time in Japan two fighters underwent skull-opening surgical procedure for accidents stemming from the identical occasion”. Image for illustration solely. | Photo Credit: Getty Image/iStockphoto
Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and light-weight Hiromasa Urakawa, each 28, fought on the identical card in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.
Both had been later rushed to hospital the place they’d mind surgical procedure.
Kotari, who battled to a draw after 12 rounds in opposition to fellow Japanese fighter Yamato Hata, misplaced consciousness quickly after and “passed away at 10:59 pm on August 8,” his M.T boxing gymnasium stated on its web site Saturday (August 9, 2025).
“He did his best to fight his way through the surgery and treatment he had been receiving at a Tokyo hospital due to acute subdural haematoma,” the gymnasium’s put up stated.
Urakawa was stopped within the eighth and closing spherical in opposition to Yoji Saito and “tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight”, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) stated in an Instagram put up on Sunday (August 10, 2025).
Urakawa died on Saturday (August 9, 2025) evening, based on native media experiences.
“This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card,” the WBO stated, including it extends “our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community.”
Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the Japan Boxing Commission, informed native media after their hospitalisation that it was probably “the first time in Japan two fighters underwent skull-opening surgery for injuries stemming from the same event”.
Published – August 10, 2025 10:03 am IST
