A single night of boxing turned into a nightmare at Tokyos iconic Korakuen Hall when two Japanese fighters suffered fatal brain injuries in separate OPBF title bouts. On August 2, 28-year-old Shigetoshi Kotari collapsed moments after completing a bruising 12-round draw with champion Yamato Hata. Diagnosed with a subdural hematomaa dangerous bleed between the brain and the skullKotari underwent emergency surgery but tragically died days later.
The next evening, fans were stunned again when 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa was knocked out by Yoji Saito. He too developed a subdural hematoma, and despite a craniotomy to relieve pressure, he did not survive.
“The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Shigetoshi Kotari,” wrote the World Boxing Organization. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.”
In swift response, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced a new safety measure: OPBF title fights will now be limited to 10 rounds instead of 12. Research shows that each extra round can increase cumulative head impact, and reducing rounds is a proven step toward safer competition.
Brain injuries like subdural hematomas account for a significant share of ring fatalities worldwide. With these changes, the OPBF joins a growing list of boxing bodies prioritizing athlete health. Will these measures be enough to protect the next generation of fighters?
Join the conversation and share your thoughts on how combat sports can evolve to keep athletes safer.
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Two Japanese boxers die from brain injuries in separate bouts
cgtn.com
