Two Japanese boxers have died within days of each other after suffering head injuries in two contests on the same fight card.
The World Boxing Federation verified the fatalities on Saturday. The fights took place on August 2 at Tokyo's famous Korakuen Hall.
The fatalities have sparked heated debate in Japan about boxing safety rules, including fight length and ringside medical procedures.
What do we know about the boxers' deaths?
Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed soon after finishing a tough 12-round tie against junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on August 2.
He was brought to emergency surgery for a subdural hematoma, also known as a brain hemorrhage, a life-threatening illness in which blood gathers between the brain and skull. He died on Friday.
The World Boxing Council confirmed that Kotari's death was immediately connected to injuries sustained in the fight.
Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died just one day later after experiencing the same sort of brain damage in a knockout defeat to Yoji Saito.
The lightweight warrior was defeated in the eighth and final round and had a craniotomy in an attempt to save his life.
Tributes given to boxing 'warrior'
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) honored Kotari on social media.
According to the statement, the boxing community is grieving the untimely death of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who died after suffering injuries in his championship bout on August 2.
A fighter in the ring. A warrior in spirit. Grave too early.
Kotari's gym also made a heartfelt statement on its website:
He gave it his all, battling through surgery and therapy at a Tokyo hospital after suffering an acute subdural hematoma. He never stopped fighting.
Following Urakawa's death, the WBO issued a separate statement expressing sincere sympathies to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this extremely trying time.
How has Japan's boxing regulatory body responded?
According to Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, it was most likely the first time in Japan that two fighters underwent skull-opening surgery for injuries sustained during the same event.
In response, the JBC said that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title contests would be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
Urakawa's death is the third boxing fatality this year as a result of in-ring injuries.
Last year, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being admitted to the hospital for his Celtic superfeatherweight championship loss to Nathan Howells in Belfast.
During the bout, he suffered a major brain injury.
Calls for increased regulation of boxing, both domestically and abroad, have grown in the aftermath of the fatalities.
Advocates are requesting shorter fighting periods, obligatory post-fight medical exams, and stronger enforcement of concussion rules.
