The boxing world is in a state of shock and mourning after the death of Japanese boxers Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, who died following brain injuries sustained on the same card.
Urakawa was hospitalised and underwent surgery after suffering a brain injury during an eighth-round defeat by Yoji Saito on August 2.
A craniotomy was performed following Urakawa’s knockout.
However, Ring Magazine have reported that the 28-year-old sadly passed away.
His death comes just a day after his fellow boxer Kotari, who had also featured on the card, succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Following the event, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced an immediate rule change. All Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts will now be 10 rounds instead of 12.
Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa tragically died after suffering a brain injury
Urakawa fought on the same card as Shigetoshi Kotari, who sadly also lost his life
The WBO confirmed Kotari’s death on Friday, six days after he fought Yamato Hata.
Tributes from the boxing world have flooded in, with former champ George Kambosos initially posting a response to Kotari’s death, writing: ‘RIP champion. Respect the real fighters always that put it all on the line. Sad news 28 years of age.’
After hearing about Urakawa’s death, he posted: ‘Another one on the same card! This is so sad. RIP to both of them. Condolences to their family. Fallen warriors.’
Former Irish boxer Gary O’Sullivan described the shocking news as ‘absolutely heartbreaking’.
The WBO also paid tribute to Kotari after his passing was confirmed.
‘Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,’ they wrote on social media. ‘The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight. A warrior in the ring.
‘A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.’
The WBC posted a tribute to Kotari after the news of his death was made public.
George Kambosos posted a tribute to the boxers after hearing of the tragic news
Kotari succumbed to his serious injuries six days after he fought Yamato Hata in Tokyo
‘Kotari, 28, lost consciousness after the 12-round bout for Yamato Hata’s OPBF super featherweight title. He was rushed to a hospital for emergency brain surgery, suffering a subdural hematoma, which is another term for a brain hemorrhage.
‘Kotari, from Nagoya, had won two consecutive eight-round fights by unanimous decision to earn this title shot.
‘The WBC and its president, Mauricio Sulaimán, deeply mourn this irreparable loss and wish his family and friends strength during this difficult time. Rest in Peace…’
Urakawa has become the third boxer to die of injuries suffered in the ring over the past year, after Kotari and Irish fighter John Cooney, who passed away after his bout in February.
Cooney, 28, sustained an intracranial haemorrhage while fighting Nathan Howells.