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Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa sustained injuries in two seperate bouts at the event in Japan.
Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa.
In a shocking incident, two Japanese boxers attained heavenly abode as the pugilists succumbed to brain injuries sustained during a boxing tournament in Tokyo.
Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa sustained injuries in two seperate bouts at the event in Japan.
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Both the pugilists, who were 28 years of age, fought on the same card in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on the 2nd of August. Both were later rushed to the hospital, where they had brain surgery.
Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari 🕊️The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight.
A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon.
Our thoughts and prayers are… pic.twitter.com/PjZtDyBIU2
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 8, 2025
The World Boxing Organization expressed its condolences following the tragic incident.
“Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari. The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon,” the organisation said.
“The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo,” the WBO said.
“This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time,” the governing body added.
The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from… pic.twitter.com/CDzoSmKU2d
— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 9, 2025
Kotari, who battled to a draw after 12 rounds against fellow Japanese fighter Yamato Hata, lost consciousness soon after and passed away at 10:59 pm on August 8.
“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,” his M.T boxing gym said on its website Saturday.
Urakawa was stopped in the eighth and final round against Yoji Saito and tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight. Urakawa breathed his last on Saturday night, according to local media reports.
Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the Japan Boxing Commission, told local media after their hospitalisation that it was likely “the first time in Japan two fighters underwent skull-opening surgery for injuries stemming from the same event”.
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