Japanese boxing is in mourning after two fighters died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same bill at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall.

Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after a 12-round draw against OPBF junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on August 2 and died on Friday following surgery for a subdural haematoma.

A day later, 28-year-old lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa died from the same injury after being knocked out by Yoji Saito. He had undergone a craniotomy in an attempt to save his life.

In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission has reduced all OPBF title fights from 12 to 10 rounds.

These tragedies come just months after the death of Irish boxer John Cooney, who also succumbed to brain injuries sustained in the ring earlier this year.