Japanese super-featherweight boxer Shigetoshi Kotari has died aged 28 from injuries sustained in his bout with Yamato Hata on August 2.
Kotari collapsed after the fight in Tokyo and was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural haematoma, a condition in which blood collects between the skull and brain.
The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) said Kotari was one of two fighters to require brain surgery following the event, with Hiromasa Urakawa also undergoing a craniotomy after his featherweight clash with Yoji Saito. Urakawa’s condition has not been updated.
Sanctioning bodies, including the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) and World Boxing Council (WBC) paid tribute to Kotari, who had a professional record of eight wins, two losses and two draws.
“Deeply sorry for this loss, a ring accident which makes all of us go back to continue research to find ways to make boxing safer,” said WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman. “Our deepest sympathy and condolences to his family and the boxing community in Japan.”
Following the tragedy, the JBC announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. Kotaris’ fight with Hata ended in a draw for the OPBF super-featherweight title, while Urakawa was knocked out by Saito.
Kotari is the second high-profile boxer to die in 2025, following the death of Irishman John Cooney in February from an intracranial haemorrhage after a fight in Belfast.
Anthony Nlebem
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