Two Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both aged 28, have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same 2 August card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall. Kotari passed away late on 8 August, followed by Urakawa the next evening, after each underwent emergency surgery for acute subdural haematomas. Kotari collapsed shortly after a 12-round draw with Yamato Hata for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation super-featherweight title. Urakawa suffered a knockout defeat to Yoji Saito in the eighth and final round of a lightweight contest. Doctors performed craniotomies on both fighters, but neither recovered, marking the first time Japan has recorded two fatalities from a single boxing event. The World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Organization issued separate statements expressing condolences and calling for renewed efforts to improve ring safety. Their messages echoed growing concern within the sport over head trauma and its long-term consequences. Responding to the deaths, the Japan Boxing Commission said it will shorten all OPBF title bouts staged in Japan from 12 rounds to 10 with immediate effect. The regulator also announced an accident-review panel comprising medical and legal experts and scheduled emergency talks with boxing gyms on 12 August to consider additional measures, including stricter medical monitoring and upgraded ringside care. The double tragedy is the third fatal boxing incident linked to in-ring brain injuries worldwide this year and has intensified debate about reducing fight length, rehydration rules and post-fight medical scans to better protect athletes.