• Two Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, died after fights on the same card in Tokyo.
• Both suffered severe brain injuries and underwent surgery for subdural hematoma.
• The Japan Boxing Commission announced an emergency meeting and immediate safety reforms reducing title bouts from 12 to 10 rounds.

Two Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, have died following brain injuries sustained in separate bouts during the same event at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on August 2. Kotari, 28, collapsed after a 12-round draw against Yamato Hata, while Urakawa also 28, was knocked out by Yoji Saito. Both fighters underwent emergency surgery for subdural hematoma but unfortunately succumbed to their injuries, with Kotari passing away on August 8 and Urakawa the next day, according to Channel News Asia and South China Morning Post.

The World Boxing Organization expressed its condolences on social media, stating, "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time." In response to these tragedies, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced it will hold an emergency meeting to discuss safety reforms, including reducing the number of rounds for title bouts from 12 to 10, which aims to minimize the risk of severe injuries, according to BBC and HuffPost.

This incident marks the third high-profile boxing death in Japan recently, following the February death of Irish boxer John Cooney. JBC Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi emphasized the importance of taking measures to ensure the safety of fighters, stating, "We are acutely aware of our responsibility as the manager of the sport," according to India Times and Reuters.