Imagine stepping into the ring, not knowing that your fight could be your last. That’s the heartbreaking reality for the boxing community as two talented Japanese fighters, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, tragically lost their lives following a night of competition at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on August 2nd.

Shigetoshi Kotari, just 28 years old, fought valiantly against the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion, Yamato Hata. The match was intense, pushing both fighters to their limits. However, in a devastating turn of events, Kotari lost consciousness immediately after the 12-round draw. His condition worsened, leading to an emergency brain surgery to treat a subdural hematoma, which is a dangerous collection of blood between the skull and the brain. Unfortunately, just days later, his family and fans were met with the heart-wrenching news that he had succumbed to his injuries.

The World Boxing Organization (WBO) took to social media to express their condolences, sharing, "Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari. The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community." This kind of heartfelt tribute reminds us of the risks these athletes take each time they step into the ring.

But the tragedy didn’t end there. Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, faced a similar fate just days later. He suffered severe brain injuries during a knockout loss to Yoji Saito on the same fight card as Kotari. Like Kotari, Urakawa underwent a craniotomy to treat his subdural hematoma, but tragically, he passed away shortly after. In a chilling echo of Kotari’s death, the WBO shared, "The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari."

In the wake of these tragedies, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced that all future Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts will be limited to 10 rounds instead of the traditional 12, a move aimed at enhancing fighter safety. While this decision comes too late for Kotari and Urakawa, it highlights the ongoing conversation about the safety measures within the sport.