Overview

• Shigetoshi Kotari remained unconscious after a full 12-round draw with Yamato Hata on August 2 and died on August 8 from an acute subdural hematoma.
• Hiromasa Urakawa, who also underwent emergency craniotomy following an August 2 bout, succumbed to his brain injury on August 9.
• The Japan Boxing Commission confirmed both fatalities on social media and emphasized its rule that boxers requiring craniotomies face automatic retirement.
• The World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Council issued tributes mourning the fighters and urged further safety reforms.
• These back-to-back deaths follow similar fatalities earlier this year, including Irish boxer John Cooney and Japanese prospect Kazuki Anaguchi, highlighting persistent concerns over head trauma in boxing.