Credit: Google
In another tragic news from the world of boxing, it has been confirmed that a second Japanese boxer named Hiromasa Urakawa died on Saturday, August 9 after suffering a brain injury during an event at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo last weekend. The 28-year-old had lost a boxing match to compatriot Yoji Saito by getting knocked out in the eighth round, and during the bout, he sustained a brain injury, which ultimately led to his demise.
The death of Hiromasa Urakawa happened just a day after fellow Japanese boxer Shigetoshi Kotari died from a brain injury suffered during another match on the same card against Tamato Hata. As per the report published in BBC Sport, both these boxers had undergone surgery for subdural haematoma, a condition which sees the blood getting collected between the brain and the skull.
After the aforementioned boxing event in Tokyo, the Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC) had made an announcement that all the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will now get contested for 10 rounds rather than 12 rounds until now. Reports are also circulating that JBC has launched an investigation into the passing of two of their boxers apart from planning a meeting to discuss their deaths next month.
It mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa: WBO
As far as the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) is concerned, they released a statement on the deaths of Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, saying that it “mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito. This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time,” the WBO further added.
