Tragic Boxing Night in Tokyo: Two Fighters Died from Injuries Over Several Days
A heartbreaking incident occurred at one of the biggest boxing events of the year in Tokyo—two Japanese boxers lost their lives following injuries sustained during their fights, which tragically culminated in their deaths within days at the hospital.
According to reports by the reputable sports publication The Ring, 28-year-old Shigetoshi Kotari passed away on August 8 in the hospital due to a brain hemorrhage caused by a severe injury sustained during his match.
Equally tragic was the fate of his fellow countryman, 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa, who died from a traumatic brain injury after a bout with Yoji Saito in the lightweight division, a fight that was stopped with a knockout in the eighth round.
Both fighters underwent emergency brain operations, but unfortunately, their injuries proved fatal.
Additionally, another boxer, Yamato Hata, remains in a coma; he was a rival of Kotari and delivered deadly injuries to him during their match.
Kotari lost consciousness at the end of the fight, which ended in a draw, leading to this devastating outcome.
In response to this tragedy, the Japanese Boxing Commission has introduced urgent modifications to fight regulations, including reducing the match length from 12 to 10 rounds, aiming to mitigate the risks of such incidents occurring again.
This event has sparked widespread public concern and renewed discussions about the safety of fighters in the ring.
It is also noteworthy that a legendary Japanese boxer previously died on his way to the gym, highlighting the constant dangers faced by professional athletes in this sport.
Recent years have emphasized the critical need for stricter safety measures and ongoing health monitoring for boxers before, during, and after bouts.