UK Boxing

Two boxers die fighting on the same card, which sport immediately changes the rules

Published

11 months ago

August 9, 2025

Japanese airy Hiromas Urakawa became the second boxer who died after a fight at a party in Tokyo. It comes a day after Shigetoshi Kotari died of injuries suffered during his fight on the same card. The latter was taken to hospital and underwent surgery in an emergency, but later he was recognized as deceased at the age of 28.

It has now been confirmed that Urakawa also died after the initial hospitalization with his own brain damage. He had surgery after defeat with a knockout from the eighth round of Yoji Saito on the Tokyo card, which took place on August 2. The message was reported by Ring magazine Before publishing the World Boxing Organization (WBO) statement On Saturday evening.

They said: “WBO mourns the departure of Japanese boxer Hiromas Urakawa, who tragically suffered injuries during the fight with Yoji Saito on August 2 in Korakuene Hall, Tokyo.

“This painful message appears just a few days after the Shigetoshi Kotari, who died of injuries suffered in his fight on the same card.

“We are expanding our deepest condolences to families, friends and Japanese boxing community in this extremely tough time.”

After the appropriate duels, the Japanese boxing commission (JBC) confirmed that both boxers were taken to the hospital. Two fighters went through craniots, which consists in creating a hole in the skull to gain access to the brain.

JBC regulations state that every boxers requiring craniotics are automatically retired and can no longer compete professionally. Unfortunately, the result was much worse for Kotari and Urakawa.

After Urakawa’s death, which was also 28, JBC announced an immediate change in the rules to reduce the risk of stern injuries.

They confirmed that all their boxing fights (OPBF) would be questioned within 10 rounds instead of 12 rounds.

Urakawa is the third boxer who has died of injuries in the ring since the beginning of the year. The Irish warrior John Cooney died in February after he suffered from bleeding after the brain after his ninth defeat with Nathan Howells in Belfast.

The promotional company Cooney, MHD Promotions, announced a message about his death on social media. They said: “With complete devastation we have to announce that after a week of fighting his life John Cooney, unfortunately, died.

“Mr and Mrs. Cooney and his fiancée Emmaleen would like to thank the Royal Victoria Hospital staff in Belfast, who tirelessly worked on saving John’s life and for everyone who sent supports of support and prayers.”

UK Boxing

Re: Official Negotiating Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship – DevinHaney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)

Published

6 days ago

July 2, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Re: Official Negotiating Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship – DevinHaney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (fighter #1) – WBO

June 30, 2026

Re: Official Negotiation Order – Mandatory WBO Welterweight Championship Contest – Devin
Haney (champion) vs. Keyshawn Davis (#1 challenger)

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UPCOMING FIGHTS

JR. WEIGHT Championship

Bermudas
VS
Osorio

Osorio Won R

JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship

Zayas
VS
Ennis

Ennis won R7

WEIGHT Championship

with Olascua
VS
Dominguez

R won

JR. BANTAM WEIGHT Championship

BANTAM WEIGHT Championship

Johnson
VS
Thorslund

R won

JR. INTERMEDIATE WEIGHT Championship

AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship

Robinson
VS
Thibeault

R won

JR. AVERAGE WEIGHT Championship

The official record holder

UK Boxing

Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide

Published

2 weeks ago

June 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing

Jaron Ennis is the bookmakers’ main favorite to defeat Xander Zayas in their highly anticipated world title clash on Saturday in Brooklyn.

Ennis challenges Zayas for the WBO and WBA super welterweight belts at the Barclays Center live on DAZN pay-per-view.

The undefeated resident of Philadelphia enters the game as the favorite on February 11 Bet365 give the 23-year-old his first professional defeat and become world champion in two weight categories.

“Boots” has stopped 31 of his 35 opponents, including Uisma Lima in his 154-pound debut in October, and is expected to stop the Puerto Rican on 20/21.

The 28-year-old last covered this distance in 2024, and a decision victory is valued at 13/2.

Zayas and Ennis face to face before the clash. Photo: Matchroom Boxing

Even though Zayas has taken over as unified champion, he is an underdog Bet365 at 15/04.

Man from San Juan defeated Abass Baraou by split decision will add the WBA belt to his WBO crown in January and his best chance of victory is rated at 13/2 by decision, while success in the shock break is rated at 14/1.

Jaron Ennis knocked out Uisma Lima in the first round in Philadelphia. Photo: Emma Brawley/Matchroom Boxing

Full Bet365 odds

The result of the fight

Xander Zayas will win the fight: 15/4
Xander Zayas by KO/TKO/DQ: 14/1
Xander Zayas by decision or technical decision: 13/2
Jaron Ennis will win the fight: 11/02
Jaron Ennis by KO/TKO/DQ: 20/21
Jaron Ennis by decision or technical: 8/5
Draw or technical draw: 14/1

Round bets

Xander Zayas

Win in round 1: 100/1
Win in round 2: 100/1
Win in round 3: 100/1
Win in round 4: 100/1
Win in round 5: 100/1
To win in round 6: 100/1
To win in round 7: 80/1
To win in round 8: 80/1
To win round 9: 66/1
To win in round 10: 66/1
To win round 11: 66/1
To win in round 12: 80/1
To win by decision or technical decision: 6/1

Zayas won by points decision over Abass Baraou. Source: Mikey Williams / top position

Jaron Ennis

To win round 1: 80/1
Win in round 2: 50/1
Win in round 3: 40/1
To win in round 4: 28/1
To win in round 5: 20/1
To win in round 6: 16/1
Win in round 7: 12/12
To win in round 8: 1/11
To win in round 9: 10/1
To win in round 10: 10/1
To win in round 11: 10/1
To win in round 12: 1/11
Win by Decision or Technical Decision: 7/4

The post Xander Zayas vs Jaron Ennis – Odds and Betting Guide appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.

UK Boxing

Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – large fight preview and predictions

Published

2 weeks ago

June 23, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

On Wednesday, Lewis Crocker heads to Australia to defend his IBF welterweight world title against Liam Paro for the first time.

Crocker will face Paro at the Pat Rafter Arena in Queensland, live on DAZN in the UK and Kayo Sports in Australia.

Crocker (22-0, 11 KO) became world champion in September, defeating Paddy Donovan twice before winning the rematch by split decision.

Man from Belfast recorded his second victory over Donovan after the first victory in March last year, and his rival was disqualified for hitting him after the bell.

Paro (27-1, 16 KO) is trying to become a world champion in two weight categories, having previously reigned in the super-lightweight division.

In September, Donovan was beaten a second time by Crocker. Photo: Mark Robinson Matchroom Boxing

The 30-year-old won the title with a unanimous decision victory over Subriel Matias in Puerto Rico before winning the belt in his first defense against Richardson Hitchins.

The Australian has since won twice, overtaking David Papot in his last appearance in September.

Paro looks like a two-time IBF champion. Photo: Melina Pizano/Matchroom

McKean meets Taliva

Heavyweight Demsey McKean will look to continue his rebuild when he faces Liam Talivaa for the vacant IBF Pan Pacific title.

McKean (24-2, 16 KO) had his career cut miniature after a last-round loss to Filip Hrgovic, followed by a brutal first-round loss to Moses Itauma.

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Post shared by Demsey McKean (@demsey.mckean)

The 35-year-old southpaw returned to winning ways with back-to-back stoppage victories.

Talivaa (8-2, 4 KO) last won the IBF Oceania-Orient title, defeating Faiga Opelu by first-round stoppage.

Undercard remaining

At cruiserweight, Luke Modini (13-0, 11 KO) will likely need distance to beat Peng Qu (17-2-1, 12 KO), while Riley Candy (8-1, 5 KO) could stop Nathan Watson (11-3, 3 KO) at super middleweight.

Vegas Larfield (13-1, 9 KO) can hand Shamal Ram Anuj (11-8, 8 KO) his fourth defeat in a row in a featherweight clash.

Heavyweight Nelson Asofa-Solomon (2-0, 2 KO) can secure a third straight knockout over debutant George Burgess, and Stevan Ivic (8-0-1, 2 KO) can do the same against Caleb Tialu (3-7, 3 KO), also a heavyweight.

Prospective super welterweight fighter Jack Javed (1-0) should overtake Lance McDonald (1-5-1, 1 KO).

The post Lewis Crocker vs. Liam Paro – Gigantic Fight Preview and Predictions appeared first on ProBoxing-Fans.com.