Two boxers from Japan succumb to brain injuries during the same competition
In a tragic turn of events, the boxing world has been shaken by the recent deaths of several boxers, including two 28-year-old Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, and an Irish champion, John Cooney.
The incidents occurred separately but within a short timeframe. Kotari and Urakawa lost their lives in August 2025, just days apart, following boxing matches held at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall.
Kotari collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round match and was diagnosed with a subdural hematoma, requiring emergency surgery. Despite the medical intervention, he passed away on August 8. Urakawa, on the other hand, suffered a knockout in the eighth round of his bout and underwent a craniotomy. He succumbed to his injuries on August 9.
Their tragic deaths have sparked renewed discussions about safety in Japanese boxing, leading to the decision to reduce OPBF title fights from 12 to 10 rounds.
In Ireland, John Cooney passed away earlier in 2025, a week after being taken into intensive care following his defeat in the Celtic super-featherweight title fight in Belfast.
Boxing has a considerable history of brain injury deaths worldwide, with hundreds of such incidents recorded over the past century.
The boxing community is mourning the loss of Shigetoshi Kotari, Hiromasa Urakawa, and John Cooney. The World Boxing Organization (WBO) has expressed their condolences for the passing of these boxers on their social media platforms.
These tragic incidents have brought the need for improved safety protocols, such as stricter medical checks and shorter rounds, into sharp focus. The goal is to reduce the risks associated with brain injuries in competitive boxing.
For more information on the historical incidence of brain injury deaths in boxing or the safety measures under discussion, please let me know.
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Although the boxing community is in mourning following the deaths of Shigetoshi Kotari, Hiromasa Urakawa, and John Cooney, these tragedies have highlighted the need for increased focus on medical-conditions and health-and-wellness in the sport. Consequently, discussions on implementing stricter safety protocols, such as science-based research on brain-injury risks and changes like shorter rounds, have gained momentum.
