Audio By Carbonatix
A second Japanese boxer has died from a brain injury suffered at an event in Tokyo.
Hiromasa Urakawa, 28, died on Saturday after he was beaten via knockout in the eighth round of his fight with Yoji Saito on 2 August.
It follows the death of Shigetoshi Kotari on Friday from injuries sustained during a separate bout on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall.
Both boxers underwent surgery for subdural haematoma - a condition where blood collects between the skull and the brain.
The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) said, "It mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito".
It added: "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."
Following the event, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of 12.
Japanese media reports, the JBC has launched an investigation and is planning to hold a meeting in September to discuss the deaths.
Urakawa is the third high-profile boxer to die in 2025 after Irishman John Cooney passed away in February following a fight in Belfast.
Cooney died aged 28 after suffering an intracranial haemorrhage from his fight against Welshman Nathan Howells.
Latest Stories
-
AFCON 2025: Senegal beat Morocco to win second title
3 hours -
Sports journalist Alex Kobina Stonne elected UniMAC External Affairs Commissioner
4 hours -
NDC’s economic gains ‘cosmetic’; real impact yet to be felt – Bryan Acheampong
4 hours -
WEF warns geoeconomic confrontation now world’s biggest threat
4 hours -
Top 10 safest countries in Africa for travellers in 2026: Ghana places 7th
5 hours -
Inflation to remain within lower bound of medium-term target of 8 ± 2% – BoG
5 hours -
Bright Simons: Ghana’s budget should follow gold, not oil
6 hours -
Stress test on restructured government bonds: Banks appear resilient to shocks – BoG
6 hours -
T-bills auction: Investor interest continued to surge, but interest rates soar
6 hours -
2025/26 Ghana League: Holy Stars edge Bechem United to secure vital home victory
7 hours -
Gun amnesty programme extended by two weeks
7 hours -
Tano North farmers threaten demonstration against Newmont ‘unfair compensation’
8 hours -
GPL 2025/26: Richmond Opoku brace sees Young Apostles draw with Hohoe United
8 hours -
Over 75% of NPP Parliamentary candidates outpolled Bawumia in 2024 – Bryan Acheampong
8 hours -
Kyebi Zongo to become a model for excellence, environmental stewardship – Chief of Kyebi Zongo
9 hours
