
‘Irreparable loss': Two Japanese boxers 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 2 August, 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.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Nick Ball to win in rounds 5-8 NOW 3/1 - as the Brit puts his WBA featherweight title on the line against Australia's Sam Goodman in Riyadh
While the main event between Moses Itauma and Dillian Whyte will dominate many of the headlines in Riyadh this weekend - the co-main event is just as intriguing. WBA featherweight champion Nick Ball will put his belt on the line against Australia's Sam Goodman - as the pair of undefeated fighters hope to come away with the win and set up a mouthwatering clash with multiple division world champion Naoya Inoue. Ball enters this weekend's contest off the back of a strong showing against TJ Doheny - with the Englishman winning by TKO in the tenth round. And he is expected to continue his winning ways this weekend - with Ball a short 1/5 favourite to have his hand raised. Meanwhile, Goodman is a 7/2 outsider to upset the applecart, while a draw is the widest in the market at 16/1. Goodman put forth a dominant performance last time out - with the slick Aussie cruising to a unanimous decision victory in Sydney. Elsewhere, in addition to the Fight Outright market outlined above - Sky Bet are offering a Price Boost for this contest. Enhanced from 5/2 to 3/1 - the bet requires Ball to win the fight in rounds 5-8. Sky Bet odds for Nick Ball vs Sam Goodman: Nick Ball 1/5 Sam Goodman 7/2 Draw 16/1 Sky Bet Price Boost for Nick Ball vs Sam Goodman: Nick Ball to win the fight in rounds 5-8 WAS 5/2 NOW 3/1


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Joshua should fight Paul if it pays
British heavyweight Dillian Whyte says Anthony Joshua should fight Jake Paul for a lucrative purse, but insists he still has unfinished business with Joshua 37, will be a huge underdog against the highly rated Moses Itauma in Saudi Arabia on talks about an unlikely match-up between two-time heavyweight world champion Joshua and YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul have intensified in recent weeks"It's a business, man. If [Joshua v Paul] makes sense and does numbers, why not?" Whyte told BBC Sport"[Joshua] has won the championship twice, had a lot of fights and done a lot so I don't know. "I'm sure he'll make more money than he did in some of his title fights so sometimes if you can make some money then make some money."Whyte lost to Joshua in 2015 for the British title in a memorable grudge match.A 2023 rematch was scrapped after Whyte failed a drug test. He protested his innocence, claimed he was cleared of any wrongdoing and returned to action in March 2024."I would love to have a chance to right my wrong," Whyte said. 'The underdog is a very dangerous dog' Whyte, who has won 31 of 34 professional fights, lost in a world-title shot against Tyson Fury in 2022 and has struggled for momentum in recent years.'The Body Snatcher' stopped Ebenezer Tetteh in December, though looked far from his the Briton still has his sights set on heavyweight glory. He says undisputed champion Oleksandr Usyk is the "best of the era" but feels he is ready for another run at a world title."I don't think I did myself justice last time. I went into the fight, we trained hard but a few things weren't right. Mentally, it wasn't right," he was "partly" the reason he chose to take on powerful southpaw Itauma. The 20-year-old Chatham heavyweight is considered one of boxing's top prospects, and has stopped 10 of his 12 opponents since turning professional."Nobody wants to fight [Itauma]. I love fighting, I love competing, I love a test. I like doing what people say I can't do, that it's impossible," Whyte added."The underdog is a very dangerous dog."


BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Japan adopts stricter safety rules after deaths
Japanese boxing officials have voted to implement stricter rules on weight loss and to also introduce urine tests following the deaths of two fighters in Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, and featherweight Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, died after sustaining injuries in separate bouts on the same card on 2 boxers underwent surgery for subdural haematoma - a condition where blood collects between the skull and the the event, the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of Japanese Professional Boxing Association (JPBA), the JBC and gym owners met to discuss the emergency measures on voted to include urine tests to measure dehydration and agreed that ambulances will be required on site, even for non-world title will partner with the governing bodies to ensure they are equipped to perform emergency surgery for head and other will also have to adhere to new rules on how long they must stop sparring during training before a fight."Officials have decided to take all possible measures to ensure that the deaths of these two boxers are not in vain," Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary general of the JBC, said an accident investigation committee will work to find out the cause of the boxers' deaths later in August before updating their guidance on prevention JBC and JPBA are also scheduled to meet with the organisations' doctors and the amateur boxing federation.