Two Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, have tragically died from brain injuries sustained during separate bouts on the same fight card at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.
Kotari, a super featherweight, fought to a 12-round draw against Yamato Hata but lost consciousness shortly after the match. He underwent brain surgery for acute subdural hematoma and passed away on August 8, the M.T boxing gym announced.
Urakawa, a lightweight, was stopped in the eighth round against Yoji Saito and later succumbed to his injuries on the night of August 8, according to local media and the World Boxing Organisation (WBO).
The WBO expressed deep condolences to the families and the Japanese boxing community, noting the heartbreaking proximity of the two deaths. Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the Japan Boxing Commission, said it was likely the first time in Japan that two fighters required skull-opening surgery from injuries sustained at the same event.
The boxing world mourns the loss of these young athletes in a rare and tragic occurrence.