Overview

• Shigetoshi Kotari collapsed from a subdural hematoma six days after his 12-round draw with Yamato Hata and died following emergency brain surgery.
• Hiromasa Urakawa suffered a similar acute subdural hematoma and succumbed to his injuries one day after Kotari’s passing.
• The Japan Boxing Commission and Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation have cut all future title bouts from 12 rounds to 10 in direct response to the fatalities.
• World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaimán and the World Boxing Organization issued condolences and called for enhanced safety research and prevention programs.
• Under Japanese regulations, any boxer undergoing cranial surgery must retire, highlighting the lasting career impact of severe ring injuries.