A Night of Tragedy at Korakuen Hall
On August 2, 2025, Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall hosted a boxing event that ended in heartbreak. Two bouts turned fatal:
- Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, battled Yamato Hata for the OPBF super featherweight title. The fight ended in a 12-round draw, but Kotari collapsed shortly after and died on August 8, following emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma.
- Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, faced Yoji Saito. He was stopped by TKO in the eighth round. Despite undergoing a craniotomy, Urakawa passed away the following day, on August 9, from similar brain injuries.
The back-to-back deaths of two young fighters on the same card sent shockwaves through the Japanese and global boxing communities.
Responses from the Boxing World
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) issued tributes to both athletes, calling them “warriors in the ring” and offering heartfelt condolences to their families and the Japanese boxing sector.
Immediate Changes: Safety Measures Enacted
In the wake of these tragedies, governing bodies swiftly enacted reforms:
- The Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) decided to reduce title fight durations from 12 rounds to 10, aiming to minimize fatigue-related risks.
- The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) scheduled an emergency meeting on August 12 to reassess safety protocols.
- Further measures included urine hydration tests, stricter regulation of weight-cutting practices, mandatory ambulance presence with on-site neurosurgical backup, and revised quotas for pre-fight sparring.
These steps aim to ensure that such tragedies “are not in vain,” according to JBC Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi.
A History of Ring Dangers in Japan
These deaths follow a troubling trend of boxing-related fatalities in Japan. In 2024, Ginjiro Shigeoka required emergency brain surgery and was forced to retire after suffering an acute subdural hematoma.
Previously, Kazuki Anaguchi, aged just 23, tragically died after a subdural hemorrhage in early 2024.
These recent incidents have reignited debate over the sport’s safety standards and raised concerns about the impact of rapid weight loss, dehydration, and prolonged bouts on brain health.
Summary: A Call for Change
- Two boxers, both aged 28—Kotari and Urakawa—died after fights held on August 2 at Korakuen Hall.
- Both incidents stemmed from fatal brain injuries requiring emergency surgery.
- The OPBF shortened championship bouts from 12 to 10 rounds.
- The JBC announced comprehensive safety reforms—including hydration testing, medical readiness, and regulation of weight cutting.
- These deaths are among several high-profile ring-related injuries in Japan over recent years, prompting necessary reforms and renewed scrutiny on fight safety.
This dual tragedy marks one of the darkest episodes in recent boxing history in Japan. The urgency of reform is clear—as is the hope that no family endures another preventable loss.
