As informed by CNN
At Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, a tragic event occurred: at one event, two 28-year-old Japanese boxers died from brain injuries sustained during their bouts.
Two boxers are connected to the incident in the Japanese capital. Shigetoshi Kotari sustained serious injuries during a fight with Yamato Hato, the Eastern and Pacific Boxing Federation champion in the super lightweight division, and collapsed unconscious shortly after the 12-round bout ended on August 2.
Doctors provided emergency care, including brain surgery for a subdural hematoma – a condition where blood accumulates between the brain and the skull – but the injured man died on Friday.
“Eternal memory, Shigetoshi Kotari,” wrote the World Boxing Organization on social media. “The boxing world mourns the death of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries sustained during the title bout on August 2.”
– World Boxing Organization
On Saturday the same tournament brought new losses: another 28-year-old boxer Hiromasa Urakawa also collapsed from a similar injury during a defeat by knockout to Yoji Saito. He underwent a craniotomy to save his life.
“This sad news comes just a few days after the death of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries sustained in a bout at the same tournament,” said in another WBO post on social media on Saturday. “We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this extremely difficult time.”
– World Boxing Organization
In response, the Japan Boxing Commission announced that all OPBF title bouts will now be shortened from 12 to 10 rounds to reduce the physical load on the athletes.
Earlier this year Irish boxer John Kuni died a week after he was hospitalized to the intensive care unit following a loss in a Celtic title bout in Belfast.
The events in Tokyo have sparked a heated discussion about boxing safety and the need to review regulations in different regions to reduce the risk of serious injuries in the ring and after bouts.
AloJapan.com