Tragedy in Japan: Two boxers die during the same event

Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts at the same event at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. The victims, super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa , both 28, were hospitalized after their respective bouts on August 2nd and immediately underwent surgery. However, both died between Friday and yesterday.

Ten-round bouts

According to Japan Boxing Commission Secretary General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, this was "the first time in Japan that two boxers underwent surgery following a subdural hematoma sustained during the same event." The Commission has also announced that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation bouts will be limited to ten rounds, instead of twelve.

This year, before Kotari and Urakawa, Irishman John Cooney , also 28, died from injuries sustained in the ring. In a fight in Belfast last February, Cooney suffered a fatal intracranial hemorrhage during his bout against Welshman Nathan Howells.