Two Japanese boxers have died after suffering head injuries during a boxing event in Tokyo.

 

On August 2, 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa was knocked out in the eighth round of his fight against Yuji Saito. He was taken to hospital with a head injury but passed away on Saturday.

 

A day earlier, on Friday, 28-year-old Shigetoshi Kotari also died from a head injury sustained in a match on the same day.

 

Both boxers were taken to hospital after their fights and underwent emergency surgery to treat bleeding in the brain but could not survive.

 

The World Boxing Organization expressed its condolences over their deaths. Following the incident, the Japan Boxing Commission announced that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10 rounds.

 

According to media reports, the commission has launched an investigation and will hold a special meeting in September to discuss the matter further.