Two Japanese fighters on same card die from brain injuries
Shigetoshi Kotari died on Friday and Hiromasa Urakawa on Saturday after being injured in their fights at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on August 2, Japanese media said. Both 28-year-old boxers underwent operations for subdural haematoma, or bleeding inside the skull, the reports said.
"We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time," the World Boxing Organisation said in a statement on Saturday about Urakawa, who had lost to Yoji Saito in a knockout.
Kotari died as a result of the injury he sustained while fighting Yamato Hata to a draw in 12 rounds, the World Boxing Council said on Friday.
"The WBC and its President, Mauricio Sulaiman, deeply mourn this irreparable loss and wish his family and friends strength during this difficult time," the WBC said in a statement.
Another boxer, 28-year-old Irish super-featherweight fighter John Cooney, died of a brain injury this year after being stopped in his first Celtic title defence in February.
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Gulf Today
17 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Two Japanese boxers die after brain injuries at Tokyo event
Two boxers in Japan have died from brain injuries they incurred in separate bouts during the same event in Tokyo, officials said. Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, fought on the same card in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on August 2. Both were later rushed to hospital where they had brain surgery. Kotari, who battled to a draw after 12 rounds against fellow Japanese fighter Yamato Hata lost consciousness soon after and 'passed away at 10:59 pm on August 8,' his M.T boxing gym said on its website Saturday. 'He did his best to fight his way through the surgery and treatment he had been receiving at a Tokyo hospital due to acute subdural haematoma,' the gym's post said. Urakawa was stopped in the eighth and final round against Yoji Saito and 'tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight', the World Boxing Organization (WBO) said in an Instagram post on Sunday. Urakawa died on Saturday night, according to local media reports. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card,' the WBO said, adding it extends 'our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community.' Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the Japan Boxing Commission, told local media after their hospitalisation that it was likely 'the first time in Japan two fighters underwent skull-opening surgery for injuries stemming from the same event'. Hernandez overwhelms Dolidze: In the main event of UFC Fight Night, middleweight Anthony Hernandez got the victory over Georgian Roman Dolidze by securing a fourth-round rear-naked choke Saturday night at the UFC Apex. 'Man, I want a title shot,' Hernandez said in the Octagon following the win. 'What do I gotta do?' Hernandez (15-2, 1 NC MMA) has now finished 12 of his last 16 fights, and he'll be watching intently to see who comes away victorious in the UFC 319 main event next Saturday in Chicago. As for Dolidze (15-4 MMA), it snapped a three-fight winning streak in a crowded division. Women's strawweight Iasmin Lucindo from Brazil and bantamweight Steve Erceg from Australia won their respective fights by unanimous decision. Agencies
UAE Moments
2 days ago
- UAE Moments
Two Japanese Boxers Die from Brain Injuries in Same Tokyo Event
Shigetoshi Kotari collapsed on August 2 after a grueling 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata. Diagnosed with a subdural hematoma — a dangerous bleed between the brain and skull — Kotari underwent emergency surgery but died on Friday. 'Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,' the World Boxing Organization (WBO) posted on social media. 'A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon.' Another Loss Within 24 Hours Just one day later, tragedy struck again. Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died on Saturday after sustaining the same type of injury during a knockout defeat to Yoji Saito. Despite undergoing a craniotomy to relieve the pressure on his brain, Urakawa could not be saved. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari,' the WBO wrote in another tribute, offering condolences to both families and the Japanese boxing community. Safety Changes Announced In the wake of the back-to-back fatalities, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced it will reduce all OPBF title fights from 12 rounds to 10 in an effort to improve fighter safety.
Dubai Eye
2 days ago
- Dubai Eye
Two Japanese fighters on same card die from brain injuries
Two Japanese boxers have died days after suffering brain injuries in separate fights on the same card, boxing associations and media reports said. Shigetoshi Kotari died on Friday and Hiromasa Urakawa on Saturday after being injured in their fights at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on August 2, Japanese media said. Both 28-year-old boxers underwent operations for subdural haematoma, or bleeding inside the skull, the reports said. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time," the World Boxing Organisation said in a statement on Saturday about Urakawa, who had lost to Yoji Saito in a knockout. Kotari died as a result of the injury he sustained while fighting Yamato Hata to a draw in 12 rounds, the World Boxing Council said on Friday. "The WBC and its President, Mauricio Sulaiman, deeply mourn this irreparable loss and wish his family and friends strength during this difficult time," the WBC said in a statement. Another boxer, 28-year-old Irish super-featherweight fighter John Cooney, died of a brain injury this year after being stopped in his first Celtic title defence in February.
