Japanese lightweight boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, 28, died on August 9, 2025, from brain injuries sustained during a fight at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

His death, along with that of fellow fighter Shigetoshi Kotari from the same event, has prompted the Japan Boxing Commission to introduce urgent safety reforms, including reduced fight rounds, hydration tests, and stricter weight-cut rules.

Key Points:

• Hiromasa Urakawa collapsed after being knocked out in the eighth round and died following emergency brain surgery.
• Fellow boxer Shigetoshi Kotari also died from brain injuries sustained in a separate bout on the same fight card.
• The Japan Boxing Commission has reduced OPBF title fights from 12 to 10 rounds to lower head trauma risks.
• New safety rules include pre-fight urine hydration tests, stricter weight-cut limits, mandatory on-site ambulances, and better ringside medical facilities.
• These reforms aim to address the dangers of brain injuries and dehydration, with officials vowing to prevent similar tragedies in the future.