A second boxer from the same fight card that cost another fighter his life in Tokyo has tragically died, according to reports in Japan.
Hiromasa Urakawa was hospitalised and underwent surgery after suffering a brain injury during an eighth-round defeat by Yoji Saito on August 2.
A craniotomy was performed following Urakawa’s knockout.
However, Ring Magazine have reported that the 28-year-old has sadly passed away.
His death comes just a day after his fellow boxer Shigetoshi Kotari, who had also featured on the card, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
The WBO confirmed Kotari’s death on Friday, six days after he fought Yamato Hata.
Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa has tragically died after suffering a brain injury
Urakawa fought on the same card as Shigetoshi Kotari, who sadly also lost his life
Kotari succumbed to his serious injuries six days after he fought Yamato Hata in Tokyo
The Japanese Boxing Commission (JBC) confirmed both fighters had required emergency brain surgery after fighting at the Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Urakawa recorded 10 career wins, with seven KOs and four defeats.
Following the event, the JBC announced an immediate rule change. All Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of 12.
The WBO paid tribute to Kotari after his passing was confirmed.
‘Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,’ they wrote on social media. ‘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.’
Urakawa has become the third boxer to die of injuries suffered in the ring over the past year, after Kotari and Irish fighter John Cooney, who passed away after his bout in February.
Cooney, 28, sustained an intracranial haemorrhage while fighting Nathan Howells.
